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| Update #5: Double Fatal Traffic Crash Investigation - Highway 26 milepost 26 | ||
| 07/03/2007 | ||
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Lieutenant Gregg Hastings Public Information Officer Office: (503) 731-3020 ext. 247 Link valid for 30 days to dispatch audio recordings released to media by Washington County emergency dispatch center (WACCA): http://www.flashnews.net/images/news/Hwy%2026%20%20MP%2026%20Car%20over%20Embankment%2006-08.mp3 The Oregon State Police (OSP) investigation into the double fatal crash on Highway 26 about five miles east of Elsie involving DAVID SCHWARTZ, age 52, and CHERYL GIBBS, age 61, is continuing. They were found deceased in their vehicle off Highway 26 near milepost 26 by Civil Air Patrol during a search on July 1st. To this date, investigators have been unable to have contact with a the original reporting citizen, self-identified as "Doug Selby", through a phone number he provided on June 8th when he made a call into the Washington County 911 center (WACCA) to report an eastbound car that had gone off Highway 26 and was no longer visible from the roadway. Investigators left several messages requesting contact to receive a statement without any returned calls. On Tuesday evening a female who reportedly owns the cell phone with the number provided by "Selby" contacted OSP. The female informed OSP that she has owned the phone four years and does not know anyone named "Doug Selby". OSP continue to encourage the original reporting citizen to contact investigators and provide a detailed statement related to the reported crash. Investigators were informed Tuesday by WACCA that the phone call originated from the Timber Junction area which is located approximately 12 miles east of the reported crash scene location. Oregon State Police and Dr. Joanne Stefanelli, Clatsop County Medical Examiner, met with members of DAVID SCHWARTZ family Tuesday in Seaside to update them on the investigation, answer questions, and release the findings by the Oregon State Medical Examiner following autopsies earlier in the day. (A news release was sent out this afternoon with information from the State Medical Examiner) During the meeting, Oregon State Police representatives apologized to family members for not finding the vehicle on June 8th when the initial report was called in about a vehicle that drove off Highway 26. In addition to the early afternoon meeting, Oregon State Police Captain Calvin Curths, Northwest Region Commander, and officials from Portland Police Bureau met with family members to answer questions and play a dispatch tape with recordings of the call from WACCA to OSP Northern Command Center (NCC) dispatch and subsequent OSP dispatch conversations. A review of the original call made June 8th to WACCA from the witness, and the call from WACCA to OSP NCC, reflected that some details were not provided including that the crash happening "1/4 mile west of milepost 26" and the vehicle had traveled off the "north side" of the highway. The following is a transcript of the call made June 8th at approximately 4:23 p.m. from WACCA to OSP NCC: NCC: State Police this is Rick, may I help you? WACCA: Hi Rick this is Bruce working fire dispatch Washington County, are you guys aware of the single vehicle off the road mile post 26 on 26? NCC: Mile post 26 on 26, which 26 side WACCA: West towards the beach NCC: No WACCA: Okay we're starting medical, I did notify Astoria dispatch and Seaside dispatch and they were arguing over whose dispatch that was and I told them here's your info; you guys deal with it we'll… NCC: One vehicle off road unknown injury medics in route WACCA: Described as a compact red car and it was eastbound and the caller said it was not visible from the roadway. NCC: Okay I'll put it in. WACCA: Alright, I've got a witness name if you'd like that? NCC: Yeah, what is the witness name? WACCA: Doug Selby at (cell phone number provided) NCC: Thanks WACCA: You're welcome NCC: Bye (A recording of this conversation was released to media by WACCA along with several other dispatch recordings. The WACCA / NCC recording is about 3/4 of the way through the mentioned recording file.) Following the June 8th phone call between dispatch centers, OSP Trooper David Corkett responded east while patrolling near milepost 13. Lieutenant Steve Lane, OSP Fish & Wildlife Division, was traveling through the area eastbound and advised OSP NCC that he would check for any signs. Trooper Dan Diamond responded west from the Banks area to a crash reported to be at milepost 35. All OSP personnel were aware of the possibility of two crashes at separate locations. An ODOT employee also responded to the area and while enroute confirmed that the activity at milepost 35 was a disabled vehicle with occupants waiting for help to arrive from the coast. ODOT continued west toward milepost 26 as members of the Elsie Vine-Maple Fire Department also were in the area of milepost 26 to look for the reported crash. Police and fire personnel checked between milepost 25 and 27 but failed to locate any signs of where a vehicle may have traveled off the highway. They met in the vicinity while checking a possible location about 1/2 mile east from the later discovered crash site. In addition to the fatal crash investigation, OSP is conducting an incident response review to learn the facts and determine if there are lessons learned related to the June 8th response. There is no set date when the review will be completed. ### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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