Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon reports, September 30, at 11:10 a.m., his deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Richardson Gap Road and Fish Hatchery Drive, south of Scio. The caller reported two vehicles collided in the intersection and multiple people were injured.
The investigation revealed a 2012 Ford F150 was traveling west on Fish Hatchery Drive approaching the intersection when a 2005 Nissan Quest traveling north on Richardson Gap Road failed to stop for the posted stop sign. The high-speed impact caused significant damage to both vehicles.
Eddie Schnitzer, 68, driver of the Ford, received non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. A female passenger of the Nissan, whose identify has not been confirmed, was transported by Life flight to Salem for life-threatening head and body injuries. The male driver of the Nissan sustained a head injury and was uncooperative on scene. He was transported to Corvallis Good Samaritan by ambulance. Deputies are actively investigating the identity of both occupants of the Nissan. Deputies are conducting a criminal investigation and are in the process of determining contributing factors of the crash.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Scio Fire Department, Lebanon Fire Department and Linn County Road Department. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to call the Linn County Sheriff’s Office (541-967-3950).