On July 29, 2019 at 3:00 PM, the Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a single vehicle fatal crash near Grand Ronde.
The preliminary investigation revealed Rosa M. Mendez, age 58, from Ventura, California was driving a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Mini-van eastbound on SR Hwy 22. Additional family members were directly in of the mini-van Rosa. The family members lost sight of the Chrysler and slowed down. The Chrysler came around a sharp right handed corner and Rosa lost control of the vehicle. Rosa drove across the westbound travel lane, drove into westbound ditch and across a gravel/paved road and collided into a ditch. The right rear passenger, Eliza Munoz Esquivel, age 61, from Ventura, California was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A nine year male juvenile rear passenger was air ambulanced to Salem Hospital where he was later transported to a Portland area hospital. The other passengers Maria Estella Lopez, age 54, Isaias Lopez, age 68, Romelia Munoz-Esquibel, age 48, all from Ventura, California were also ground transported to the Salem Hospital for their injuries.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by Grand Ronde Tribal Police, ODOT, and Polk County Sheriff’s Office.