Child Riding on Lap Critically Injured With Others

A state trooper's proximity to the crash scene and his subsequent lifesaving efforts likely saved the lives of three people.

Crash scene south of Odell. Photos: Oregon State Police Full size photos at bottom of story

(ODELL, Ore.) - A serious two-car crash between a 2005 Honda Accord and a 1988 Chevy Blazer occurred this morning at approximately 11:04 AM on SR 35 just south of Odell in Hood River County.

Sergeant Alan Hageman with Oregon State Police says preliminary information indicates that 25-year old Jacek Kawecki of Arlington, Virginia, was accelerating in a southbound Honda up a hill in the left lane passing another vehicle when he entered a shady spot.

"The Honda lost control and spun 180 degrees into the northbound lane where its rear-end collided with the front-end of the northbound Chevy Blazer." That vehicle was driven by 21-year old David Dolan of Kelso, WAashington.

"Both operators were using safety restraints. Mr. Kawecki was not injured and Mr. Dolan was treated and released from the Hood River Hospital for minor injuries."

SR 35 had had icing earlier in the day which had mostly thawed, but the shady spot where the Honda lost control likely extended the icing condition on that part of the highway, Hageman said.

"Trooper Mike Holloran arrived at the crash scene within a minute of the call and before emergency medical personnel and he immediately began to triage and provide lifesaving efforts to the three most critically injured patients."

He says Holloran had to establish airways in three patients and he performed cardio pulmonary resuscitation for about 30 minutes. According to Sergeant Julie Wilcox, Trooper Holloran's proximity to the crash scene and his subsequent lifesaving efforts likely saved the lives of three people.

Mr. Dolan did not have any passengers in the Blazer, but a number of people were riding in the Honda.

17-year old David Kawecki of West Linn was riding in the right-front seat. Police say they aren't sure if he was wearing his safety belt. Kawecki was treated and released from the Hood River Hospital.

24-year old Alisa Huttes of Minnesota was riding in the right-rear seat. Police say she was not wearing a seat belt. Alisa Huttes was transported by ground ambulance to Emanuel Hospital with critical injuries.

48-year old Anita Kawecki of West Linn was in the left-rear seat. Police say she was not wearing a seat belt. Anita Kawecki was transported by Lifeflight Helicoptor to Oregon Health Sciences University with critical injuries.

Police say that in the left-rear seat, riding on the lap of Anita Kawecki, was 8-year old Anna Kawecki who was not wearing a seat belt. Anna Kawecki was transported by ground ambulance to Emanuel Hospital with critical injuries.

Oregon's Highway Department detoured State Route 35 traffic through Odell for approximately three hours during the crash investigation.

Troopers from the State Police The Dalles Area Command office are investigating the crash. Hood River County Sheriff's Deputies, Odell Fire and Rescue, and Oregon Department of Transportation personnel assisted at the scene.