Three people, including a Sweet Home-area man, were killed Monday evening, Oct. 1, in a single-car collision on Highway 22 that left two Lebanon residents injured.
Oregon State Police troopers and emergency personnel responded at about 6:42 p.m. to a report of a motor vehicle crash on Highway 22E near Milepost 35, about five miles east of Gates.
Preliminary investigation indicated that a silver 2004 GMC Envoy carrying five occupants was traveling westbound on Hwy 22E when it left the roadway and struck several trees, according to an OSP report.
Daniel O’Neal, 24, of Foster, Amanda Salmon, 23, of Lebanon, and Stacie Williams, 31, of Ocala, Fla., were all pronounced dead at the scene.
Driver David Trimble, 31, of Lebanon was transported to a hospital with serious injuries, as was passenger Brandon Mims, 34, of Lebanon.
Two of the passengers were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. A third occupant remained in the vehicle and was also pronounced deceased at the scene.
Hwy 22E was completely closed for approximately 2½ hours following the crash before the eastbound lane was opened.
The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released when available, the OSP report said.