Oregon State Police (“OSP”) reported a fatal head-on collision on Oregon Highway 22 near Detroit around sixty miles east of Salem. According to the OSP website, a 2009 Toyota Avalon driven by an elderly man was eastbound on Highway 22 near milepost 40 when, for an unknown reason, it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a westbound 2004 Dodge Ram pickup
The Avalon driver was identified as Ronald Duane Galbraith, 73. Mr. Galbraith was pronounced dead at the scene. No injuries were reported to the other driver or passengers. We extend our sincere sympathies to family and those who knew Mr. Galbraith.
Fatal Auto Accident Collision Statistics
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation’s motor vehicle traffic crash statistics, there were 331 fatal collisions in Oregon in 2009. The rate of fatal crashes dropped by 10.30 percent from the previous year, but non-fatal injury crashes rose 5.61 percent. Fourteen people were killed in Douglas County in 2009 fatal auto collisions.
Head-On Collision Crash Force
One car hitting another moving toward it creates a force about equal to the same car crashing directly into a wall at the same speed. The crash force isn’t doubled, as some people believe, but it’s still severe enough to crumple metal and destroy glass and plastic. Unfortunately, it’s also enough force to take a driver’s life.
The speed at which this central Oregon car accident occurred is not clear from official reports. As speed increases, however, fatal impact is significantly more likely. Doubling the speed of a head-on collision into a stationary object, for example, tends to nearly quadruple the crash force applied. Highway 22 is posted 55 mph—easily high enough for the deadly crash that killed the driver in this case.
Consult an Oregon Car Accident Lawyer
An Oregon auto accident attorney can assist injured victims or the families of those killed by driver negligence and ensure that those responsible for the harm are held accountable. Portland personal injury lawyer Dane E. Johnson provides a free, confidential attorney consultation in all motor vehicle collision cases. Contact us toll free at (800) 714-3204 or online.
