Oregon State Police- On November 17, 2016 at about 7pm, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Highway 78 near milepost 18 (10 miles west of Crane, 18 miles east of Burns).
Preliminary investigation revealed a 1995 Nissan pickup had been traveling eastbound when it drifted off the shoulder and the driver over corrected causing the vehicle to roll several times on the highway. All occupants were ejected from the vehicle (no safety restraints used).
The operator, a 15 year old male from Burns, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The front right passenger, a 14 year old male from Burns, was critically injured and taken by air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise. The rear passenger, a 10 year old male from Burns was taken by ground ambulance to Saint Charles Bend for treatment of non-life threatening injuries (brother of driver).
Distracted driving is being investigated as a possible contributing factor. Initial investigation indicates the juveniles did not have permission to be operating the vehicle. OSP was assisted on scene by Harney County Sheriff's Office, Harney EMS, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
This is an ongoing investigation. More information will be released when it becomes available.
