Highway 20 Fatal Crash Near Hyak Park (Photo) -01/06/23

CORVALLIS, Ore. – On Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at approximately 3:50 p.m., Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Deputies responded to a traffic crash on Highway 20 near Hyak Park. 

An investigation determined a Ford Ranger was traveling westbound pulling a small unloaded trailer. While in transit, the trailer detached from the Ranger’s hitch and hit a Honda Civic, traveling in the opposite direction. The Civic then left the roadway and hit a telephone pole.

The driver of the Civic, a 69-year-old male from Albany, was transported by ambulance from the scene and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The driver of the Ranger, 42-year-old Nicholaus Cotter, of Lebanon, was uninjured. 

Cotter was arrested for reckless endangering, was issued multiple traffic violations, and was released at the scene.

The investigation is still ongoing. If you have further information regarding the crash, please contact Sgt. David Iverson at 541-230-0984 or email david.iverson@co.benton.or.us.

Using a trailer requires knowledge about the size and weight of the trailer, correct hitching techniques, proper cargo loading and weight distribution, and appropriate load-securing methods. To prevent another tragedy, BCSO asks that if you are going to pull a trailer, you review the Oregon Department of Transportation safety guidelines at https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Safety/Documents/TowingATrailer.pdf.

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