KSAWTV.COM | Twin Falls News, Breaking News, Weather and Sports-Second Person Dies After Van Rollover
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Oregon State Police troopers are continuing their investigation into Thursday morning's single-vehicle double-fatal rollover crash on Interstate 84, about five miles west of Baker City.
About 5:20 a.m., a 2002 Ford F-350 van driven by Nicole Byrd, 25, from Federal Heights, Colorado, was westbound on Interstate 84 following a brief stop in Baker City. Police say there were fifteen passengers aboard van. The van veered off the roadway and rolled multiple times, finally coming to rest on its top about 50 yards from the westbound lanes near a bordering frontage road. Investigators say the highway was icy at the time.
Thirteen of the sixteen are believed to have been ejected from the van. All occupants were transported to hospitals in La Grande, Baker City and Boise. The majority of injured occupants have been treated and released.
Byrd was transported to St. Elizabeth Health Services hospital in Baker City and was released following treatment.
Two passengers, Joshua Pischura, 20, from Geneva, Ohio and Taune Winter Pepper, 23, from Deer Trail, Colorado died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
Five passengers are still in the Intensive Care Unit at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.
Police say they are Aaron Werntz, 19, from Freeport, Illinois; Christine Aki, 18, from Golden, Colorado; Phillip Harris, 24, from Attalla, Alabama; Katherine Pischura, 18, from Geneva, Ohio; and William Rodgers, 22, from Lakewood, Colorado.
OSP troopers from the Baker City office are continuing the investigation with the assistance of OSP collision reconstructionists. Police are not yet saying if those aboard the van were wearing seat belts. Evidence is currently being reviewed by the Baker County District Attorney's Office.
