WASCO COUNTY, OR – Oregon State Police report that on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 6:58 p.m., OSP responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 197 near milepost 9 in Wasco County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a maroon Dodge Ram, operated by Randall Donn Marshall (77) of Wamic, was traveling southbound on Hwy. 197 when it left its travel lane for an unknown reason and struck a white Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Joshua Merle Thompson (45) of Tygh Valley, head-on.
The operator of the Chevrolet (Thompson) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Dodge (Marshall) was transported by LifeFlight for serious injuries. The passenger of the Dodge was transported by ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.
The highway was impacted for four hours. The investigation is ongoing.
Oregon State Police was assisted by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Dufur Volunteer Fire Department, LifeFlight, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. 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.
