Port Orford Man Dies in Crash Near Milepost 300 on Highway 101 in Curry County

A tragic turn of events unfolded last Thursday evening on Highway 101 when a man lost his life in a single-vehicle crash near milepost 300 in Curry County. Oregon State Police reported to the scene at around 6:21 PM, after a Jeep Patriot operated by Wylie Joe Summerlin, a 62-year-old resident of Port Orford, struck a tree to avoid a deer on the roadway. According to the preliminary investigation data, the accident resulted directly from this sudden maneuver.

Unfortunately, Mr. Summerlin was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident. After being transported to a nearby hospital post-crash, the medical team's efforts proved insufficient; Wylie Joe Summerlin was pronounced dead. Despite the severity of the incident, traffic flow on Highway 101 was reportedly sustained without disruption during the investigation, as the accident did not impact the highway itself.

The response to the fatal crash was a concerted effort by multiple agencies. Oregon State Police were joined by the Port Orford Fire Department, Port Orford Police Department, Curry County Sheriff's Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) in managing the aftermath and commencing the initial investigation. These local entities provided necessary aid, focusing on the precise factors leading up to the destructive event.