UPDATE: Correction - Spc. Gonzalo Martinez, III was an active duty Soldier in the U.S. Army and not a National Guardsman.
COLUMBIA COUNTY, OR (February 22, 2023) - On Sunday, February 19, 2023, at approximately 6:23 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a crash on Hwy 30, near milepost 60, in Columbia County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a military convoy traveling westbound on Hwy 30 had stopped on the westbound shoulder to address an unknown mechanical issue. A Humvee style vehicle associated with the convoy traveling eastbound had stopped in the eastbound passing lane. Two National Guardsmen exited the stopped Humvee to aid the convoy in addressing the mechanical issue. One of the Guardsmen, Gonzalo Martinez III (29) of Cleveland (TX) was struck by an eastbound 1997 Chevrolet pickup, operated by Richard L. Erickson (72) of Clatskanie, who was also traveling in the left lane. The Chevrolet then crashed into the parked Humvee. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup and the military member, were both transported to St. John's Hospital in Longview (WA). The driver of the Chevrolet pickup remains in stable condition and the military member, Martinez III, was pronounced deceased.
The highway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriffs' Office, Clatskanie Fire, and ODOT.
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Email to ClayCoNews regarding our initial publishing on Sunday, February 19, 2023 in connection to the above press release by the Oregon State Police.
From: Holuta, Cynthia R MAJ USARMY I CORPS (USA)
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2023 8:14 PM
To: editor klaykonews.com
Subject: CORRECT THE RECORD: Fatal Crash on I-5, Feb. 19
Sir or Ma’am,
In your recently published article regarding the fatal crash on I-5, Feb. 19, I request that you correct the record.
Spc. Spc. Gonzalo Martinez, III, assigned to 557th Engineer Construction Company, 864th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade from Joint Base Lewis-McChord was struck and killed by a civilian vehicle during a routine military convoy operation, Feb. 19, in Clatskanie, Oregon. This incident is under investigation.
“Gonzalo Martinez’s has been a valued member of the brigade for over three years. His tragic loss is felt across our formation,” said Col. Jeffrey Hall, commander of 555th Engineer Brigade. “Our priority now is to take care of his family and our Soldiers and provide the best possible care that we can during this incredible time of need.”
Respectfully,
MAJ Cynthia Holuta
Public Affairs Officer
⦿ I Corps
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
Building 2026B, Room B106
Photo of Spc. Gonzalo Martinez, III provided by MAJ Cynthia Holuta USARMY I CORPS (USA).
