On Thursday, January 10, 2019 at about 8:45 pm, Oregon State Police (OSP) Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle fatal crash on US Hwy 101 near milepost 152, just south of Seal Rock.
Preliminary investigation revealed a blue 2001 Lexus SUV, operated by Patricia Norenberg, age 55, of Waldport, was driving southbound on US Hwy 101 when she drifted into the northbound lane of travel. A northbound gold 2008 Toyota van driven by Richard Larrett, age 85, of Lincoln City, and the two vehicles collided partially head-on. Larrett’s passenger, Judith Larrett, age 81, of Lincoln City, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Norenberg and Richard Larrett were transported by ambulance to Newport’s Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital due to their injuries.
US Hwy 101 was closed about just over 3 hours following the crash however, a detour had been established to help traffic. Agencies assisting OSP were Waldport Fire Department, Seal Rock Fire Department, Newport Fire Department, ODOT Incident Response/Maintenance, Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, and Newport Police Department.