Portland Woman Dies From Crash Into Coastal River

Police have identified the victim in a fatal traffic crash on the Little Nestucca Highway, east of Highway 101‏.

Ms. Russo's vehicle was recovered from the Little Nestucca River. Photo: Oregon State Police

(CLOVERDALE, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation and have identified the victim of a vehicle found on its top Tuesday afternoon in the Little Nestucca River about 3 miles east of Highway 101. The vehicle reportedly drove off Highway 130 where it was spotted in the river.

The victim is identified as 38-year old Charlee Maxine Russo of southeast Portland.

OSP says Tuesday around 3:30 PM, occupants of a school bus reported seeing a vehicle on its top partially submerged in the Little Nestucca River in southern Tillamook County. Emergency responders arriving on scene near milepost 3 confirmed the report as the passenger car was down an approximate 30-foot embankment with an adult female inside.

Oregon State Police troopers say roadway evidence indicates the car was eastbound entering a right curve when it drove straight off the highway and down the embankment to its final resting place.

Troopers learned Ms. Russo was visiting a relative in Cloverdale. She was last seen Monday night about 8:30 PM and may have been driving back to the Portland area at the time of the crash. The vehicle was removed from the river by a local tow company.

OSP troopers from the Tillamook work site are continuing the investigation.