Fatal Crash – Highway 197 – Wasco County - 10/07/25

WASCO COUNTY, Ore. (7 Oct. 2025) – On Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 4:39 p.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 197 near milepost 37 in Wasco County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a gray Isuzu Rodeo, operated by Howard Mcloud Mansfield (60) of Maupin, was traveling northbound on Highway 197 near Maupin when it left its lane of travel for an unknown reason. The vehicle crossed into the southbound lane, struck the hillside, rolled over, and ejected the operator from the vehicle.   

The operator of the Isuzu (Mcloud) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately 30 minutes during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by Southern Wasco County Ambulance, Juniper Flat Rural Fire Protection District, Tygh Valley Rural Fire Protection District, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.