One Dies in Highway 26 east of Government Camp

This stretch of Highway 26 is open range where livestock may be lawfully permitted to run at large.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

(GOVERNMENT CAMP) - Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Thursday morning's fatal traffic crash involving a commercial vehicle on Highway 26 about seventeen miles east of Government Camp on the Warm Springs Reservation. The victim's name and company information are being released following completion of next of kin notification.

On September 23, 2010 at approximately 2:30 a.m. a commercial truck pulling a semi-trailer was traveling eastbound on a straight two lane stretch of Highway 26 near milepost 72. The truck struck a large cow in the roadway then veered off the right shoulder colliding into several large trees. The trailer remained on the highway. Both vehicles caught fire and were extensively damaged before Warm Springs Fire Department personnel were able to extinguish the fire.

The truck's driver, 54-year old Dusty Lee Mings of Vancouver, Washington was pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Mings worked for Western Boxed Meat Distributor out of northeast Portland, and was trasnporting meat products to central Oregon. At OSP's request, Washington State Patrol notified next of kin.

The cow was found dead down the eastbound shoulder embankment amongst the trees.

OSP troopers from the Madras, Prineville and Bend offices responded to investigate.

Warm Springs Police Department, Warm Springs Fire Department, and ODOT assisted at the scene. The highway was closed about five hours before being open to one lane with flaggers.

This stretch of Highway 26 is open range where livestock may be lawfully permitted to run at large. Oregon law (ORS Chapter 607) defines livestock districts and open range and sets the procedure and requirements for establishing or changing a livestock district. The procedure is handled at the county level, by the County Clerk. When a Livestock District is created or changed the County Clerk sends written notification to the Department of Agriculture. More information about livestock districts and open range is available at oregon.gov/ODA/AHID/livestock_id/openclosed_range.shtml.

Source: News release from Oregon State Police