A tragic incident unfolded on Highway 99E near Harrisburg on Sunday night when a woman lost her life in a collision with a semi-truck. KOIN reports that 48-year-old Laura Marie Howard of Corvallis was the driver who was fatally injured in the crash, which occurred around 9:13 p.m. near Cartney Drive.
According to Oregon State Police, Howard's vehicle did not obey a stop sign, which led to the devastating encounter with the southbound semi-truck. The truck was driven by 31-year-old Barret Morrison of McMinnville, who emerged from the accident unscathed. A passenger in the commercial vehicle, 56-year-old Eric Sean Fisher of Newberg, was also reported uninjured in the aftermath, as per information obtained by KPTV. Tragically, Howard was declared dead at the scene.
The highway was subjected to a three-hour closure as authorities launched a crash investigation to discern the detailed mechanics of the mishap. KATU disclosed that the semi driver, along with his passenger, managed to avoid injuries during the crash.
As the community grapples with the loss of Laura Marie Howard, questions about the intersection's safety and the circumstances surrounding the crash inevitably rise.
