Two Killed, One Critically Injured in Thanksgiving Morning Crash

OSP is requesting anyone who may have witnessed the driving of the Chevrolet Blazer or the crash to contact Trooper Mark Davie at (503) 378-3387 ext. 252.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(ALBANY) - The Oregon State Police is continuing to investigate a Thanksgiving day morning two-vehicle head-on crash on Highway 34 about 1/2 mile west of Interstate 5 in which two people were killed and a third person critically injured.

On November 23rd, at approximately 6:30 AM, a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer driven by 52-year-old Sary Rath, from Albany, was eastbound on Highway 34 when, for an unknown reason, it crossed the paved center median and crashed head-on with a westbound 1998 Dodge Durango.

Both vehicles came to rest blocking the westbound lanes.

The drivers of both vehicles were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Rath was using safety restraints police said.

The passenger in the Chevrolet Blazer, 17-year-old Chomkocma Vann, from Albany, was using safety restraints and was critically injured.

He was transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

The driver of the Dodge Durango, 27-year-old Gregory Gathings, from Lebanon, was not using safety restraints.

His vehicle's airbag deployed police said.

Oregon State Police troopers from Albany and Salem offices responded to the scene.

An OSP crash reconstructionist is assisting.

OSP is requesting anyone who may have witnessed the driving of the Chevrolet Blazer or the crash to contact Trooper Mark Davie at (503) 378-3387 ext. 252.