Coos Bay, Ore. – Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers in Coos Bay are continuing the investigation into yesterday’s fatal head-on crash on Highway 38 at Paradise Road, near Elkton.
Preliminary information from the scene indicates that at approximately 3:45 p.m., a black, 2012 Honda CR-V, operated by HEATHER R. FRIEDRICH, age 44, of North Bend, was eastbound when it crossed the centerline into the westbound lanes and hit a tan, 2004 Toyota Camry, driven by KATHLEEN D. HANDCOCK, 57 of Coos Bay, which was westbound. The front passenger in the Camry, VIRGINIA L. WHALEN-JENNINGS, 59, of Coquille, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
FRIEDRICH was transported to Lower Umpqua Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. HANDCOCK and her rear passenger were transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend with non-life threatening injuries.
The highway was blocked for several hours as troopers investigated and reconstructed the crash. The Oregon Department of Transportation responded to assist and a traffic detour was established.
OSP was assisted at the scene by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and Elkton Rural Fire Protection District. No citations have been issued at this time however, investigative findings will be forwarded to the Douglas County District Attorney for review.
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