SHERMAN COUNTY, OR - On Monday, March 18, 2024, at 11:45 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-97, near milepost 47, in Sherman County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Volkswagen Beetle, operated by Jayden Matthew Smith (23) of Prineville, crossed into the southbound lane for unknown reasons and struck a Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Kashmir Singh (36) of Tacoma (WA), head-on. The collision caused both vehicles to catch fire and become fully engulfed.
The operator of the Volkswagen (Smith) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Volvo (CMV) was not injured.
The highway was impacted for approximately 6.5 hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Sherman County Sheriff's Office and ODOT.
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About the Oregon State PoliceOregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.
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