Heavy fog causes delay for deadly crash investigation
SHERIDAN, Ore. -- One person was killed and four others were taken to the hospital after a three car accident that happened in the heavy fog and icy conditions on Highway 22 (Willamina - Salem Highway) Saturday night, police said.
Highway 22 was temporarily closed as state police officials reconstructed the scene of the deadly crash, which took longer than usual because of the heavy fog in the area.
After reconstructing the crash, police said that the incident happened at around 6:30 p.m. when a westbound Ford van driven by Marcos Antonio Luz, 41 of Woodburn, crossed over the center line and hit a Toyota sedan carrying two elderly people from Silverton head-on.
The impact pushed the Toyota off the roadway into the ditch, and the Ford came to a stop on the highway.
Police said that shortly after that crash a Dodge pickup carrying Lonny and Ruthann Bryant of Willamina (51 and 49, respectively) was headed west when the truck hit the van, pushing it into the ditch as well.
Emergency responders pronounced the driver of the Toyota, Clifford Fagaly, 69 of Silverton, dead at the scene. Kerttu Fagaly, 85 of Silverton, was a passenger in the car. She was taken to Salem Hospital with critical injuries.
Luz was driven by ambulance to Salem Hospital as well, where he is receiving treatment for serious injuries.
Lonny and Ruthann Bryant were taken to Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinneville with minor injuries.
Following the crash, officials closed the highway between mileposts 0 and 7 so a team could reconstruct what had happened. Oregon Department of Transportation officials. The Oregon Department of Transportation put up a detour on Highways 99W and 18 for several hours as the crews analyzed the scene.
STATE POLICE:
Due to the thick fog, travelers should follow these precautions:
- Slow down and increase your following distance.
- Disengage your cruise control.
- Use your low beams.
- Use the right edge of the road, white fog line or roadside reflectors as a guide.
- Do not change lanes or pass other vehicles unless necessary.
- If you pull off the road, pull over as far as possible and turn off your headlights.
This crap is avoidable. People drive too fast and follow to closely! I do NOT feel sorry for someone who does this kind of crap and anyone proven to be driving too fast and causing a crash with an injury should prosecuted to the full extent of the law!
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Put some of these idiots in prison for a while and maybe they will think the next time! Of course they won't, but at least we'll have one less idiot on the road trying to kill others!
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99% of all drivers on the roadway in the United States drive like idiots, and you know who you are!
 @Postone A pretty calloused response....
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Heavy fog is difficult to see and drive in ..some times you get maybe a half second to respond. YOU don't know they drove too fast, the article doesn't say that.Â
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Even emergency responders had difficulties.
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Sometimes you get caught in fog. You say its avoidable from the comfort of a heated warm environment.  We don't' know the circumstances of their travel time line or plans.Â
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I think we can safely rule that no one intends on killing or injuring others when they are on the road.Â
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Sorry that you "don't feel sorry" when a human being dies.Â
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Lots of moron commentors on KVAL, one thing I hate about it.  But you are entitled under the 1st Amendment to speak your foolish mind.  Although, If I had my way, you would have no 1st Amendment rights here.Â
 @Jason Marks  @Postone the precautions listed are good.  Best to not drive in dense fog if possible.  Using the fog line as guide has the driver looking down at the fog line.  It is quite possible a driver can miss an important sign such as "Stop Ahead".  When using fog line have a passenger look for signs etc. if possible.