A 29-year-old Gates motorcyclist was killed last Friday night after a pickup truck turned into his path on Highway 226 in Linn County. The collision happened near Richardson Gap Road, where the motorcycle and rider landed in a roadside ditch.
Tanner Kolten Henderson was traveling west on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle near milepost 11 when the crash occurred, according to the Statesman Journal, citing Oregon State Police. ODOT was notified at 9:41 p.m., and Henderson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crash Happened Near Intersection With Previous Safety Concerns
The pickup driver had slowed to turn south onto Richardson Gap Road, then stopped in the roadway and turned into the motorcycle’s path, police said. The driver remained at the scene, was not injured and cooperated with investigators.
The intersection had already drawn safety attention before Friday’s fatality. A 2021 release from Linn County said there had been several crashes in the area and described upgrades including larger stop signs, oversized stop bars, advance warning signs and flashing lights, with additional rumble strips planned.
Highway 226 was closed during the investigation and reopened around 3 a.m. Saturday, the Statesman Journal reported. Oregon State Police continue to investigate the crash.
