Moro, Ore. -On August 7th, at approximately 5:45PM, one person was seriously injured on US 97 near milepost 20 and case referred to Sherman County District Attorney’s Office.
According to Trooper Jacob Ferrer, a 2005 Audi A5, operated by Caden Jay Christman (age 19) from Enterprise, was traveling northbound on Hwy 97 in the southbound lane, passing traffic in a marked passing zone. Christman stuck a southbound 2012 Volvo semi-truck and trailer operated by 31 year old Sukhdeep Singh Gill from Antelope, CA, head-on. After impact, the semi-truck and trailer left the roadway on the northbound shoulder before coming to a stop and the Audi flipped over and came to a rest in the southbound ditch.
Gill was uninjured, however his fuel tanks ruptured, spilling approximately 300 gallons of diesel fuel. Christman was seriously injured and was transported by Life Flight to Emmanuel Legacy hospital in Portland. Evidence was located in the Audi that points to illegal controlled substance use by Christman. The case has been referred to the Sherman County District Attorney and charges of Reckless Driving and Possession of Heroin are pending for Christman. US 97 was blocked for approximately an hour before being reopened.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon Department of Transportation and the North Sherman Fire Department. OERS was notified about the fuel spill and coordinated with ODOT for the cleanup.
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