Fatal Traffic Crash Near Burns Blamed on Fatigue

The couple was reportedly enroute to the Oregon coast to visit relatives.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(BURNS, Ore.) - A Wyoming couple was involved in a single vehicle fatal traffic crash Tuesday morning on Highway 20 nine miles east of Burns that resulted in the death of one person and minor injuries to the driver.

Oregon State Police troopers preliminarily believe driver fatigue and an unrestrained passenger are contributing factors in this crash.

State troopers say Tuesday at approximately 10:50 AM, a 2007 Lexus sport utility vehicle driven by 76-year old Betty Frome of Afton, Wyoming, was westbound on Highway 20 near milepost 141. The driver reportedly fell asleep causing the vehicle to drift across the eastbound lane onto the south side highway shoulder. The driver overcorrected causing the vehicle to roll over on the highway until it came to rest on its wheels blocking the eastbound lane.

Betty Frome was using safety restraints and received minor injuries. She was transported by ambulance to Harney District Hospital in Burns.

Her husband, 76-year old Ted Frome was not using safety restraints and was asleep in the rear seat. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The couple was reportedly enroute to the Oregon coast to visit relatives.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Burns work site are conducting the investigation. Upon completion, it will be reviewed by the Harney County District Attorney's Office.

Oregon Department of Transportation crews and Harney Emergency Medical Services assisted at the scene. The highway was cleared about 12:30 PM.