The preliminary investigation indicated southbound traffic was stopped for a vehicle attempting to turn left onto Turlay Ln. A southbound Toyota Sienna, operated by David Timothy Schalk Jr. (53) of Astoria, crossed the double yellow line and began passing the stopped traffic in the northbound lane. The Toyota struck the northbound guardrail and was redirected back into the northbound lane where it struck a northbound Dodge Ram 1500, operated by Marti Ree Lindhorst (68) of Salem. The collision caused the Dodge Ram to roll into the southbound lane and collide with a Kia Soul, operated by Tara Lynne Ragan (55) of Astoria, which was stopped in the southbound lane.
The operator of the Toyota (Schalk Jr.) was injured and transported to a local hospital.
A passenger in the Toyota, Kaleb Allen Shaffer (48) of Warrenton, was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Dodge (Lindhorst) was injured and transported to a local hospital.
The operator of the Kia (Ragan) and passenger, Wendy Lee Sides (53) of Seaside, were injured and transported to a local hospital.
The highway was impacted for approximately 5.5 hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Gearhart Police Department, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Department, Warrenton Fire, and ODOT.
