Lane County, Ore 14 Oct 24- On Monday, October 14, 2024, at 12:21 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 126E, near milepost 24, in Lane County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Dodge Ram 3500, operated by Colton Lane Wellette (20) of Monroe, was pulling a gooseneck trailer loaded with bales of hydroseed. As the Dodge was negotiating a curve the trailer overturned spilling the load into the westbound lane. A westbound Toyota Corolla, operated by Sierra Marie Evers-Hellmich (37) of Eugene, collided with the debris from the over-turned trailer causing significant damage to the Toyota.

A passenger in the Toyota, Kurt Allen Hellmich (71) of Arcata (CA), was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Toyota (Evers-Hellmich) suffered reported minor injuries. Another passenger in the Toyota, Lynn Evers (76) of Aracata (CA), suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

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

OSP was assisted by the Leaburg Fire Department, Lane County Sheriff's Office, and ODOT.

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Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.