Hwy. 97 Fatal, Klamath Co.

KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. (8 September 2026) – On Saturday, September 5, 2026, at approximately 8:50 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 97 near milepost 200 in Klamath County. The preliminary investigation indicated a black Honda two-door sedan, operated Elias Keyin Sorenson (21) of Eugene, was traveling northbound on Highway 97 when, for unknown reasons, it crossed into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a white Volvo semi-truck hauling a 53-foot trailer. The Volvo was operated by Jose Luis Sotelo-Monge (64) of Tulare, CA. The operator of the Honda (Sorenson) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the Volvo (Sotelo-Monge) sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Highway 97 was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Chemult Rural Fire Protection District, Crescent Fire District, and Oregon Department of Transportation.

Hwy. 78 Fatal, Harney Co.

HARNEY COUNTY, Ore. (8 September 2026) – On Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 78 near milepost 36 in Harney County. The preliminary investigation indicated a yellow Kawasaki Teryx (UTV), operated by Rae Jean Marie Neumann (71) of Burns, was traveling southbound along the shoulder when it attempted to cut across the highway to enter a driveway. A southbound silver Mercedes E350, operated by Timothy John Dudzik (86) of Carefree, Arizona, was unable to avoid the UTV and struck it on the driver’s side before leaving the roadway on the northbound shoulder. The operator of the UTV was thrown from the vehicle. The operator of the UTV (Neumann) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the Mercedes (Dudzik) was reportedly not injured. The highway was impacted for approximately 30 minutes during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, Burns Police Department, and Harney District Hospital Emergency Medical Services.