On Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 4:59 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-34, near milepost 1, in Linn County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Ford Fusion, operated by Jimmie Eugene Beck Jr (19) of Newport, was westbound on Hwy-34 in the fast lane. The Ford left the fast lane, crossing the center turn lane and into the oncoming eastbound lane where it struck a silver Nissan Versa, operated by Jennifer Davina Gere (43) of Lebanon, head-on. 

The operator of the Nissan (Gere) was declared deceased, by responding medical personnel, at the scene. 

The operator of the Ford (Beck Jr) was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries. 

The highway was impacted for approximately 6 hours during the on-scene investigation.  The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Benton County Sheriff's Department, Corvallis PD, and Corvallis Fire.