Marion County was the scene of a tragic incident early Sunday when a single-vehicle crash on Hwy 22E took the life of a Camarillo man. According to Oregon State Police, Jerome Francis Hurley, 45, was driving east near milepost 15 when his Dodge Challenger veered off the road and collided with a tree at approximately 7:13 a.m.
The cause of the crash currently escapes understanding, with investigators piecing together the events that led up to the accident. In fatal solitude, Hurley, the sole occupant, was rushed to a local medical facility, suffering from serious injuries incurred during the accident. Tragically, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The aftermath of the crash saw Hwy 22E closed for about three hours, affecting the Sunday morning traffic. The on-scene investigation was a collaboration effort with Oregon State Police being assisted by Stayton Fire, Sublimity Fire, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
As authorities are continuing with the investigation to deduce what might have precipitated the accident, the community is left grappling with the sudden departure of Hurley. The highway, which serves as a reminder of the perils of the road, did eventually reopen to resume its flow of life as usual.
