Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Saturday night's single vehicle fatal traffic crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 84 about four miles west of Cascade Locks that resulted in the death of an adult male. The names of the vehicle occupants will be released after confirmation next of kin notification for the victim was completed.

Updated information following a preliminary investigation indicates on September 28, 2013 at approximately 9:02 p.m., a 1999 GMC van with three occupants was traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 40. The 31-year old male driver allegedly began a physical altercation with the right front passenger/girlfriend when the van traveled to the left side of the traffic lanes and collided with a guardrail. The driver, who was not using safety restraints, fell out of the moving van through the driver's open door onto the ground and was critically injured.

The right front female passenger stopped the van without further incident.

OSP troopers from the Portland Area Command office, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office deputies, and ODOT personnel responded to the scene. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Both passengers were taken to an area hospital for a medical evaluation and no injury was found on either person because of the crash. The female passenger did have minor injuries sustained as a result of the physical altercation with the driver before the crash.

All lanes were re-opened about five hours after the crash occurred.

Update #2: Names Released - Fatal Traffic Crash - Interstate 84 west of Bonneville Dam (Photo) - 09/30/13

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Saturday night's single vehicle fatal traffic crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 84 about four miles west of Cascade Locks that resulted in the death of an adult male. The names of the vehicle occupants are released in this update.

On September 28, 2013 at approximately 9:02 p.m., a 1999 GMC van with three occupants was traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 40. The van's driver, AUSTIN MONROE HERD, age 31, was allegedly involved in a physical altercation with right front passenger/girlfriend NICOLE QUINTANA, age 30, when the van traveled to the left side of the traffic lanes and collided with a guardrail. HERD, who was not using safety restraints, fell out of the moving van through the driver's open door onto the ground and was critically injured. QUINTANA then stopped the van without further incident.

OSP troopers from the Portland Area Command office, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office deputies, and ODOT personnel responded to the scene.

HERD was pronounced deceased at the scene. Closer examination of the van's driver door showed it was secured by a bungee cord stretched from the interior door handle to the steering column. The temporary repair was in place because of a door malfunction preventing it from being closed and secured.

QUINTANA and a second passenger, JESSY R. WALTERS, age 18, were transported to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for a medical evaluation and no injury was found on either person because of the crash. QUINTANA did have minor injuries consistent with being involved in a physical altercation before the crash.

HERD, QUINTANA, and WALTERS, a family friend, were enroute from Galveston, Texas, to Portland to move in with HERD's relative. HERD previously has lived in northeast Portland.

OSP detectives are assisting investigating troopers with the ongoing investigation.

Photograph - Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Submitted on 10/12/2013

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: flashalert.net/osp

Copyright © 2013 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Bystanders Hurt
Thanks, but it sounds like if the passenger wasn't in the car (and hadn't been injured by the driver) then this never would have happened. As such I consider her a hurt bystander. Thanks just the same.

Candi said:
Definitely Toss: Bystanders Hurt
What Bruce said.

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