Keno man dies in pile up on US97 [UPDATE]
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Multiple vehicles were involved in a crash on US Highway 97 1.5 miles north of the Oregon/California border Saturday morning due to extremely slick conditions following snow and black ice due to freezing fog. (Image: Ace Towing)
Image: Justin Treasure
Updated to include the total vehicles involved in the pile up confirmed by OSP at 16. (3:09 PM, 12/13/20)
KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. - On Saturday, December 12, 2020, at 9:10 A.M., emergency personnel responded to a vehicle crash on US Highway 97 near milepost 290, 1.5 miles north of the California/Oregon border.
Saturday morning found roadways slick with snow and black ice caused by freezing fog.
The preliminary investigation by the Oregon State Police revealed that a Chevrolet pickup, operated by Ralph Brown (82) of Keno, was southbound when it slid on the snow-covered roadway and went into the northbound lane. The Chevrolet collided head-on with a northbound Freightliner semi-truck operated by Rajanikanth Chitravelu (44) of Alberta, Canada.
Brown sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The passenger in the Chevrolet, Thomas Brown (28) of Keno, was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center with injuries.
Chitravelu was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center with injuries.
The head-on crash sent a chain reaction of related crashes ultimately involving 16 different vehicles.
Agencies on scene included the Oregon State Police, California Highway Patrol, Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Klamath County Fire District #1, Klamath County Fire District #4.
