Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley reports, today at 1:40 p.m. deputies investigated a fatal crash involving two motor vehicles with one occupant in each vehicle. The crash occurred at the intersection of Lake Creek Drive and Powerline Road, approximately 1.5 miles southeast of Halsey, Oregon.
The operator of a black 1998 Honda Civic was identified as 19-year-old Alfredo Garcia-Gomez of Junction City. Garcia-Gomez was transported by EMS to the Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Room in Corvallis with minor injuries. The operator of a blue 2005 Chevrolet Ventura Van was identified as 65-year-old Rhoda Fern Showalter of Harrisburg. Showalter was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation reveals Garcia-Gomez was traveling south on Powerline Road while Showalter had been traveling east on Lake Creek Drive. As Showalter drove through the intersection of Powerline Drive, Garcia-Gomez failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of Powerline Road and Lake Creek Drive. Garcia-Gomez drove into the intersection colliding with Showalter’s vehicle near the driver side door. This caused her vehicle to spin and impact a power pole with enough force to break it at the base. The vehicle driven by Garcia-Gomez continued through the intersection for approximately 50 yards south on Powerline Road before coming to rest on the west side of the roadway.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts and airbags deployed in both vehicles. It is not believed that alcohol or other drugs were a factor in the crash. The investigation is continuing.
Linn County Deputies were assisted by members of the Halsey Fire Department and Albany Fire EMT personnel. In addition the Linn County Multi Agency Investigation Team members from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Lebanon Police Department responded to assist with the processing of the crash scene.