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Deputies from the Benton County Sheriff's Office are continuing to investigate a two-vehicle fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on Highway 99W at milepost 93, about six miles south of Corvallis. The crash resulted in the death of a Molalla woman, a Molalla boy and injuries to a Philomath woman and a Molalla girl.
At about 2:34 pm, on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, Emory Page Coates,21 years old, of Philomath, Oregon, was driving northbound on Highway 99W, just south of milepost 93, in a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee. She attempted to pass a northbound recreational vehicle and drove into the southbound lane. She attempted to drive quickly back into her lane and lost control of her vehicle. The Jeep spun back into the southbound lane and collided head on with a southbound 1999 Saturn SL, driven by Tonya Renee Moore, 43 years old,of Molalla, Oregon.
The Jeep came to rest facing east in the southbound lane. Emory Coates self-extricated from the Jeep. No other passengers were in the Jeep.
The Saturn came to rest in a ditch on the west side of Highway 99W, facing east. In the Saturn, a 16 year old Molalla boy was in the driver side rear passenger seat, and a 17 Molalla girl was seated in the passenger side rear seat. Their names are not being released at this time. Medics from the Monroe Fire Department arrived and pronounced Tonya Moore and the 16 year old boy deceased and later extricated them from the vehicle.
The 17 year old girl and Emory Coates were transported by the Corvallis Fire Department to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries.
The Benton County Multi-Agency Traffic Collision Investigation Team processed the scene. Initial Investigation did not indicate drugs or alcohol as contributing factors. Deputies are continuing to investigate the crash and the public is asked to contact Sergeant David Peterson at 541-766-6820 if they have any information. The Oregon Department of Transpiration assisted with traffic control. Highway 99W was closed for about four and a half hours.