On Monday night, an incident occurred on Interstate 84 when a Toyota 4Runner driven by 35-year-old Donald James Drouillard of Hermiston veered off the highway. According to the Oregon State Police, the vehicle failed to properly navigate a curve, leading to a severe crash near milepost 10 in Umatilla County.
The initial reports noted the accident occurred at approximately 11:42 p.m., when Drouillard's vehicle left the roadway, rolled down an embankment, and eventually came to rest on its roof in the median. Responding officers found Drouillard deceased at the scene, suggesting he was fatally injured after being ejected from the vehicle. It was also stated that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, which is being considered a factor in the severity of his injuries.
During the aftermath of the accident, the highway remained open, without any reported impacts on traffic. Agencies responding to the incident included the Umatilla County Fire District 1 and the Oregon Department of Transportation, both assisting the Oregon State Police with their on-scene investigation.
