Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon reports today at 6:55 a.m., his deputies investigated a fatal motor vehicle crash on Peoria Road near Irish Bend Loop, outside of Harrisburg. Kelly Flower, 55, from Foster, was driving a 2003 Honda Accord southbound on Peoria Road when she appeared to have crossed the centerline into the oncoming lane. Her vehicle struck Colleen Wedin, 49, of Eugene, who was driving a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse northbound on Peoria. The two vehicles collided head-on. This section of Peoria Road is straight and it is unknown what caused Flower to go into the oncoming lane. The two women were the only occupants of each vehicle.
Flower was pronounced deceased on scene. She was taken to Aasum-Dufour Funeral Home in Albany. Wedin suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts and both vehicles’ airbags deployed. Flower’s family has been notified. There was intermittent fog in the area, but it is unknown if this was a factor in the crash.
The Multi-Agency Investigative Team (MAIT) was called to the scene to assist in the investigation.
Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Albany Police Department, Lebanon Police Department, Corvallis Fire Department and Halsey Fire Department.