A Sweet Home man was killed Wednesday afternoon, March 23, in a collision with a chip truck on Highway 20 near Ingram Road.
According to the Oregon State Police, at about 3:30 p.m. OSP troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of the two-vehicle crash on Highway 20 near milepost 20.
According to police, preliminary information revealed a 2015 Mack semi-truck towing a chip trailer had been traveling westbound on Highway 20 when it came to a stop in the slow lane, waiting to make a right turn from the highway. The truck had to yield to a passing train on the tracks that parallel Highway 20.
While waiting for the train, the truck was rear-ended by a westbound 2005 Dodge Caravan operated by Elmer D. Fry, 80, of Sweet Home. According to witness statements, Fry made no attempts to brake or avoid colliding with the truck, police said. Fry was pronounced dead when emergency workers arrived.
The driver of the Mack truck, Joel P. Hass, 41, of Sheridan, was not injured.
The westbound lanes of Highway 20 were closed for approximately four hours following the crash. OSP was assisted by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Sweet Home Fire Department, Lebanon Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The investigation is continuing, police said.