Crash Kills Teen Girl in Canby, Spares Younger Brother

Canby High School officials are preparing to provide emotional support for the students Monday.

Photos of fatal crash in Canby, Oregon: Troy Buzalsky / Canby Fire

(CANBY, Ore.) - Canby Fire crews and Clackamas Sheriff deputies, were dispatched to a one-car motor vehicle accident located across the street from 7850 S Zimmerman Road shortly after 4:00 p.m. Friday.

Camby Fire Division Chief Troy Buzalsky, says responding crews were told that there were serious injuries, possibly fatal in nature.

Buzalskky said, "On-scene within one minute of the accident were two local workers, one who is a volunteer firefighter for Mt Angle Fire. When Fire units arrived the citizens were providing first aid to the surviving victim who was still in the vehicle."

Fire crews arriving on the scene found a newer model Volvo sedan that had crashed through a post and wire fence, in the field across from the above address.

"There were two people in the vehicle at the time of the accident, both described as teens. One was pronounced dead at the scene."

Canby Fire Rescue personnel summoned Life Flight to transport the single male passenger injured in the crash. This young male passenger was airlifted to Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital (OHSU), in Portland.

Fatal crash involving 18-year old Emma Knopp and her brother, 14-year old David Knopp, both of Canby, Oregon. Photos courtesy: Troy Buzalsky / Canby Fire

Sadly, the victims were brother and sister. 18-year old Emma Ruth Knopp of Canby, who attended Canby High School, died at the scene, according to Det Jim Strovink, Spokesman for the Clackamas Sheriff's Office.

He said, "Emma Knopp was found to be in operation of a 2006, Volvo, 940, four-door sedan, while traveling westbound on S. Zimmerman Road, in rural Canby."

Investigators report identifying an estimated 140' of fishtailing skid marks from where the front wheel of the Volvo first caught the edge of the roadway; which may have caused the vehicle to fishtail and ultimately leave the roadway, then striking a large fence post and overturning in a vacant pasture.

Emma Knopp was transporting her brother as a passenger in this vehicle at the time of the crash. He is identified as 14-year old David Knopp of Canby; who is also a Canby High School student.

Strovink says he spoke to a representative of OHSU, who reports that David Knopp is in 'stable condition'.

This traffic crash remains under investigation by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, according to Strovink.

"Canby School authorities have been notified of this tragic occurrence and are expected to be preparing and providing emotional support for the anticipated despondent student body of Canby High School."

This portion of S. Zimmerman Road was reopened to traffic at 6:30 p.m.

It is a tragic story, only sensitive comments will be allowed for the respect of this family, and we at Salem-News.com offer our sincerest condolences to all.

Buzalsky says Canby Fire Chaplains were called to the scene for grief counseling.