A tragic incident unfolded on Oregon's Highway 395 near milepost 12 last Tuesday, as a silver Buick Lacrosse and a red Toyota CHR collided head-on, causing multiple injuries and the loss of one life. According to the Oregon State Police, the Buick, driven by Celestino Chavarria Nunez, 65, of Pasco, was turning left onto the Interstate 84 on-ramp when it struck the northbound Toyota, operated by 41-year-old Tabitha J. Ritzer of Hermiston.
The crash had a serious impact. Nunez had minor injuries, while 74-year-old Rosa Maria Badillo from Pasco died at the scene. Passengers Guadalupe Flores-Mendoza, 81, had serious injuries, and J. Eleazar Flores, 59, had minor injuries; both were taken to hospitals. Thankfully, Ritzer and a 10-year-old girl in the Toyota survived with only minor injuries. They were also taken to a hospital for treatment, as reported by the Oregon State Police.
Local authorities and emergency services, including the Stanfield Police, Umatilla County Sheriff's Office, Echo Fire, and Umatilla County Fire District #1. The Oregon Department of Transportation and Lift Flight also helped, as per the Oregon State Police. The crash caused a traffic delay of about three hours while police investigated the scene on Hwy. 395. Drivers were redirected to other routes as cleanup and investigation took place.
