Family Injured in Fatigue Related Crash

Serious Injury Crash - Interstate 82 in Umatilla area

Photo of crashed truck: Oregon State Police

(HERMISTON, Ore.) - One person was seriously injured and three others received minor injuries in a fatigue-related crash when their pickup lost control, crossed Interstate 82 and fell nearly 30 feet onto Highway 730.

Oregon State Police Sergeant Allan Muhs says that Friday, a 2003 Chevrolet four-door pickup driven by 40-year old Vaughn L. Moser of Hermiston, was approaching a sweeping right curve southbound on Interstate 82 just south of the Columbia River Bridge near exit 1 when he reportedly fell asleep while traveling 65 - 70 mph with cruise control on.

The pickup drove across the center median and northbound lanes where it crashed into a concrete guardrail on the bridge overpass over Highway 730.

The pickup went over the concrete railing and fell approximately 28 feet and landed on head-on into Highway 730. The pickup eventually came to rest on its wheels in the westbound lanes of Highway 730.

Vaughn Moser was seriously injured. The three other occupants identified as 36-year old Pamela Moser, 10-year old Ashley Moser and 13-year old Devon Moser, received non-life threatening injuries.

All four were transported by ambulance to Good Shepherd Medical Center for treatment. Vaughn Moser was later taken by LifeFlight to Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland where he was reported in stable condition this morning.

All four were reportedly seat belted in the car.

OSP troopers from the Hermiston work site are continuing the investigation. Assistance at the scene provided by Umatilla County Sheriff's Office, Umatilla Police Department, Umatilla Fire & Rescue, Hermiston Fire & Rescue, and ODOT.