Sean C. Morgan
A Sweet Home woman was killed Sunday morning in a traffic accident near Lebanon.
Katelyn “Katie” Suzanne Reynolds, 18, driving a 1991 Mazda pickup, was headed to work at Duraflake in Millersburg at about 6 a.m. on Highway 20, westbound. Another vehicle, an eastbound 1993 Dodge Dakota pickup, crossed the centerline and collided with her vehicle, striking the left front quarter panel. The accident ocurred at about milepost 17.7, about two and a half miles east of Lebanon.
Reynolds died at the scene. The second driver, Richard Austin Thomas, 39, of Sweet Home sustained “non-life-threatening” injuries and was transported to Lebanon Community Hospital.
Oregon State Police, who responded at 6:26 a.m., are investigating the accident and say that fatigue may have played a role in the crash and that the sunrise would have ocurred at the same time as the crash and also may have played a role.
Thomas had not been charged as of Monday.
Reynolds is the daughter of father and stepmother Blair and Lori Reynolds and mother and stepfather Sue and Randy Tuller.
Reynolds graduated from Sweet Home High School in June. She was the editor and photographer with the Huskian and yearbook. She played basketball, softball and volleyball.
She attended Community Chapel. She was a member of the National Honor Society and earned both her certificate of initial mastery and certificate of advanced mastery. She planned to attend community college and become a nurse.
Memorial services are planned for 2 p.m. on Thursday in the amphitheater at Community Chapel. The Workman & Steckly Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.