Motorcyclist Killed in Crash with Sport Utility Vehicle

Happy Valley man succumbs to injuries suffered in crash on Highway 6 west of Banks.

Photo of crash scene: Oregon State Police

(BANKS, Ore.) - Police say a Happy Valley-area man died Friday afternoon from injuries suffered in a collision between his motorcycle and a sport utility vehicle on Highway 6 about seven miles west of Banks.

Police and fire crews responded just after 2:00 PM today to the reported crash on Highway 6 near milepost 42.

Preliminary investigation by Oregon State Police indicates that a 1996 Jeep Cherokee driven by 21-year old Justin Lejeune of Turner, was westbound on Highway 6 slowing to turn left into a gas station when it turned in front of an eastbound 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by 61-year old James Perry Law of Happy Valley.

Investigators say the motorcycle was unable to stop and crashed into the side of the Jeep Cherokee.

Mr. Law was transported by Metro West ambulance to Tuality Forest Grove Hospital where he died after arrival. He was wearing a protective helmet.

Lejeune was using safety restraints and was not injured.

OSP troopers from the Banks work site are completing the investigation. No citations have been issued at this time.

Washington County Sheriff's Office, ODOT and Forest Grove Fire Department assisted at the scene. Highway 6 was closed at the scene for about 2 1/2 hours.