Two Injured and One Killed in Semi Crashes on Interstate 84 near Farewell Bend

I-84 was closed for 4 hours westbound and 9 hours eastbound, due to multiple crashes.

One man was killed and two others transported with injuries after their semi trucks crashed on Oregon's I-84. Photo: OSP

(BAKER COUNTY, Ore.) - Tuesday morning about 11:25, Oregon State Police Troopers (OSP) and emergency crews were dispatched to a roll over crash involving a commercial motor vehicle on Interstate 84, milepost 349 eastbound.

As emergency personnel were responding to the scene, a second crash involving two commercial motor vehicles, occurred at milepost 348 eastbound, killing a driver.

Preliminary information from authorities indicates that at 11:25 a.m., a 2006 Freightliner pulling a 2010 Utility semi-trailer, operated by 34-year old Ivan Berezin, from Gresham, and was traveling eastbound on Interstate 84 at milepost 349 when for unknown reasons, his vehicle veered off the roadway into the median.

Berezin's vehicle traveled back onto the roadway and overturned, blocking both eastbound lanes.

All eastbound traffic had stopped at milepost 348, including a 2015 Kenworth pulling a 2012 Utility semi-trailer, operated by Abraham 33-year old Garza Tanguma, from Rio Grande City, Texas.

About 11:55 a.m., a 2015 Freightliner pulling a Great Dane semi-trailer, operated by 62-year old Milton Vaughn, from Altoona, Kansas, was also driving eastbound, when he approached the stopped traffic and crashed into the rear of Garza Tanguma's truck & trailer, at highway driving speeds.

Vaughn's vehicle was transporting hazardous materials (Aluminum Oxide Powder UN3175) and the containers were breached and leaking. Hazmat 14 with the Ontario Fire Department arrived and were assisted by H20 Environmental from Boise, Idaho for cleanup.

Milton Vaughn sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Ivan Berezin was life flighted to Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise, Idaho and Garza Tanguma was transported by ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario.

The Interstate was closed westbound for approximately 4 hours and eastbound for approximately 9 hours.

OSP was assisted by Oregon Department of Transportation, Hazmat 14 with the Ontario Fire Department, H20 Environmental and Baker County Sheriff's Office.