Fatal Traffic Crash - Highway 99W near McMinnville

Passenger Richard Thomas Leonard Luce, age 24, from Willamina, died from injuries sustained in the crash. He was using safety restraints.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

(MCMINNVILLE, Ore.) - Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers, with the assistance of a multi-agency team, are continuing the investigation into an early Sunday morning single vehicle fatal traffic crash that resulted in the death of one person and injuries to another on Highway 99W just north of McMinnville. The crash caused a reported power outage in the area which is being addressed by McMinnville Power & Light employees.

On September 26, 2010 at approximately 3:20 a.m. a 1996 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Jeri Marie Gentry, age 46, from Dayton, was northbound on Highway 99W near milepost 35 when it traveled onto the paved shoulder, across NE Youngman Lane where the car's passenger side crashed into a utility pole.

Gentry was transported by ambulance to Willamette Valley Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Safety restraint use is pending confirmation.

Passenger Richard Thomas Leonard Luce, age 24, from Willamina, died from injuries sustained in the crash. He was using safety restraints.

OSP troopers from the McMinnville Area Command office are continuing the investigation with the assistance of the Multi-Agency Traffic Team. In addition to OSP, the traffic team is comprised of officers from Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, McMinnville Police Department, and Newberg-Dundee Police Department.

ODOT and McMinnville Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Questions regarding the power outage and repairs should be directed to McMinnville Power & Light.