Fatal Motorcycle Crash - Highway 219 Near Newberg‏

It has been a tragic weekend for motorcycle riders in Oregon and their families.

Photo of crash scene near Newberg courtesy: Oregon State Police

(NEWBERG, Ore.) - One person died and a second was seriously injured after the motorcycle they were on went off Highway 219, the SW Hillsboro Highway, about six miles north of Newberg.

Police say the bike crashed about 40 feet down an embankment, and was found by the victim's husband and step-son who were checking the area to see where they had gone during their group ride.

The victim and passenger's names will be released Monday at the request of family for more next of kin notification purposes.

Police say that Sunday at approximately 12:11 PM, the victim and injured passenger were the second of three motorcycles on a family group ride spread apart about a fourth of a mile, riding southbound on Highway 219 near milepost 14.

The victim investigators say, is a 51-year old female, and her passenger, a 38-year old female. They were southbound rounding a sharp left curve on a three-wheel 1994 Honda Goldwing, when it drove off the shoulder between a guardrail and tree. The motorcycle continued down an approximate 40-foot embankment where it came to rest.

Her step-son on the first motorcycle and husband on the third motorcycle could not find them as they rode, so they returned through the area and discovered the crash scene.

The motorcycle operator was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female passenger was seriously injured and transported by LifeFlight to Oregon Health Sciences University where she is reported in stable condition. Both were wearing protective helmets.

Oregon State Police troopers from the McMinnville Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Troopers from the Banks work site assisted at the scene along with Washington County Sheriff's Office, Newberg and another local fire department, Washington County Medical Examiner and ODOT. One lane was closed for about 3 1/2 hours for the on scene investigation.

Police say alcohol and speed were not contributing factors.