Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 12:00 am
An 18-year-old Willamina High School student died and three other students from the high school were injured Wednesday morning in a crash involving their pickup and a commercial truck on Highway 22 about one mile west of Valley Junction, according to the Oregon State Police.
Speed is being investigated as a possible contributing factor.
According to OSP Sgt. Brad Hessel, at approximately 8:36 a.m., a Ford Ranger extended cab pickup driven by Anthony Thomas Gorretta, 18, of Grand Ronde, was eastbound on Highway 22 negotiating a right curve when it lost control and crossed the center line.
The pickup collided with a westbound commercial truck driven by Raybon Dean Thompson, 38, of Cloverdale.
The pickup's right rear passenger, Tamara L. Coila, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was using safety restraints. Coila attended Canby High School before entering Willamina High School for her senior year.
Anthony Gorretta was transported by ground ambulance to Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville where he was treated for minor injuries and released. He was using safety restraints.
Right front passenger Vincent Gorretta, 14, was transported by LifeFlight to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland with serious injuries. He was using safety restraints.
Left rear passenger, Jeff Haggard, 17, of Grand Ronde, was transported by REACH air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Hospital with serious injuries. He was using safety restraints.
Thompson was using safety restraints and was not injured.
OSP troopers from the McMinnville Area Command office are continuing the investigation. No enforcement action has been taken.
ODOT, West Valley Fire & Rescue, and Sheridan Fire Department assisted at the scene.
Highway 22 was closed until about 1:30 p.m.
Questions for Willamina High School should be directed to Principal Tim France at (503) 876-2545.