17-Year Old Girl Falls From Moving Van

Injuries the girl received in the 45-mph fall are not considered life-threatening.

Lifeflight transported the girl to the hospital File photo

(CORVALLIS) - A 17-year old girl on her way to the Children's Farm Home in Corvallis fell out of a moving vehicle Wednesday. Police say the fall and related injuries resulted from a struggle between the girl and an employee of the Children's Farm Home. State Police are investigating the Wednesday afternoon incident that happened on Highway 34 east of Corvallis. At the time of the incident, the girl was being transported back to a Corvallis-area residential treatment facility. Police say that around 4:12 PM Wednesday, 23-year old Dayna Svendsen was using a Ford Aerostar van to transport another Children's Farm Home staff member and a 17-year old female westbound on Highway 34 near Tangent Road enroute to the Children's Farm Home in Corvallis. Preliminary investigation indicates that at the 17-year old passenger's request, the passenger, employee Shanna Romero, reportedly had moved to the back seat to sit next to the passenger. Shortly after that, the 17-year old female passenger jumped into the front passenger seat. Following requests to return to the back seat, Police say Romero tried to physically move the female passenger to the back seat. As Svendsen was slowing down to stop on the highway shoulder, a struggle developed between Romero and the 17-year old passenger. According to OSP investigators, the female passenger was able to open the door and then fell out onto the highway. They estimate the van's speed was approximately 45 mph when the passenger fell out. LifeFlight transported the injured female passenger to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. Her injuries are considered non-life threatening. Neither Children's Farm Home staff member was injured. OSP detectives and troopers responded to the scene. Assistance at the scene provided by Linn County Sheriff's Office, Albany Police Department, and ODOT. The right hand westbound lane was closed about two hours.