Fatal Crash on Highway 99W Claims Life of Newberg Man

HWY 99W was closed for approximately three hours.

A fatal crash on Highway 99W two miles north of Lafayette. Photo: OSP

(LAFAYETTE, Ore.) - Wednesday afternoon, just before 2 p.m., emergency responders were notified of a serious injury crash on Highway 99W near Stoller Rd, two miles north of Lafayette.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Ford pickup, pulling a dual axle utility trailer loaded with gravel, was southbound on Highway 99W, when for unknown reasons, veered right onto the southbound shoulder and then veered left into the oncoming northbound lane of travel.

A 2005 Toyota Prius was northbound and unable to maneuver around the Ford, resulting in the Prius striking the passenger side of the Ford while in the northbound lane of travel.

The operator of the Ford, 31-year old Antonio Sanchez-Guillen, from McMinnville, was transported to the Willamette Valley Medical Center with minor injuries.

The operator of the Prius, 84-year old Velda Mitchell, from Newberg, was transported by ambulance to the Willamette Valley Medical Center with serious injuries and then transferred to a Portland Area Hospital.

The front passenger of the Prius, 85-year old Richard Mitchell, from Newberg, was transported by Lifeflight to a Portland Area Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

HWY 99W was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated.

Oregon State Police was assisted by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, McMinnville Police Department and McMinnville Fire Department.

Source: OSP