Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause of a Monday night single vehicle fatal traffic crash on State Route 203 south of La Grande that resulted in the death of an adult female from Mt. Vernon.
According to Sergeant Kyle Hove, on December 16, 2013 at approximately 9:10 p.m., a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria driven by LUCILLE SWARTHOUT, age 87, from Mt. Vernon, was southbound on State Route 203 near milepost 10 when it traveled off the road for unknown reasons. This section of highway is straight with narrow shoulders. The Ford Crown Victoria rolled before coming to rest with SWARTHOUT ejected adjacent to where the vehicle was found.
OSP troopers from La Grande are continuing the investigation and it was determined that SWARTHOUT was not wearing safety restraints at the time of the crash. Air bags in the Ford Crown Victoria did deploy.
OSP was assisted by Union and Grant County Sheriff Office's, Oregon Department of Transportation, La Grande Fire Department, and Union Volunteer Fire Department Quick Response. Traffic was able to make it through in one of the two lanes during the duration of the investigation.
Photograph provided by OSP.
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According to Sergeant Kyle Hove, on December 16, 2013 at approximately 9:10 p.m., a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria driven by LUCILLE SWARTHOUT, age 87, from Mt. Vernon, was southbound on State Route 203 near milepost 10 when it traveled off the road for unknown reasons. This section of highway is straight with narrow shoulders. The Ford Crown Victoria rolled before coming to rest with SWARTHOUT ejected adjacent to where the vehicle was found.
OSP troopers from La Grande are continuing the investigation and it was determined that SWARTHOUT was not wearing safety restraints at the time of the crash. Air bags in the Ford Crown Victoria did deploy.
OSP was assisted by Union and Grant County Sheriff Office's, Oregon Department of Transportation, La Grande Fire Department, and Union Volunteer Fire Department Quick Response. Traffic was able to make it through in one of the two lanes during the duration of the investigation.
Photograph provided by OSP.
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