A Pendleton woman was killed Tuesday evening when her Chevrolet Tahoe slammed into the back of a semi-truck on eastbound Interstate 84 near milepost 207, sending the SUV rolling multiple times and ejecting the driver, authorities said.
The single-vehicle crash was reported at about 5 p.m., and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to KATU, Oregon State Police said the Tahoe struck the trailer of the semi on wet pavement, then "turned hard to the right," causing the driver to lose control as the vehicle rolled. Troopers identified the driver as 55-year-old Jeanette Lynn Row of Pendleton and said investigators believe she likely was not wearing a seat belt when she was thrown from the SUV.
Emergency Response And Scene
Pendleton Fire & Ambulance assisted troopers at the scene while investigators worked along the damaged stretch of freeway. The semi driver was not hurt and no other injuries were reported, according to Elkhorn Media Group.
Seat Belts And Rollover Risks
While most Oregonians buckle up, the state continues to see deadly exceptions. The ODOT's Transportation Safety Office reports that the 2024 statewide observed seat-belt use rate is about 95.5%. That still leaves thousands of people on the road unbelted.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that seat belts are one of the most effective tools for surviving serious crashes, especially rollovers. They help keep occupants inside the vehicle and significantly reduce the risk of fatal injuries when vehicles flip or crash at high speed.
Investigation Ongoing
Oregon State Police are continuing to investigate the crash and have not yet made any determination about impairment or possible citations, KATU reported.
Troopers are asking anyone with information about the collision to contact the Pendleton area command. Family notifications and funeral arrangements had not been made public at the time of reporting.
