Klamath County, Ore. – A head-on collision on Highway 97, just north of the California border, claimed the lives of two individuals Monday morning.
According to the Oregon State Police (OSP), the crash occurred shortly before 6 a.m. when a Nissan Frontier, driven by 30-year-old Derek Ryan Ford of Colorado, crossed the center line while traveling northbound. The vehicle struck a Dodge Ram 1500 head-on, with the truck, driven by 48-year-old Amy Wilson of Klamath Falls, heading southbound.
Both Ford and Wilson were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities currently working to determine whether weather, road conditions, or other factors contributed to the tragic event.
The collision caused significant traffic disruption, with Highway 97 being closed for approximately three hours while emergency responders and investigators worked at the site.
This marks the second fatal crash in the area this year, prompting local authorities to urge motorists to drive cautiously, especially on busy roads and during early morning hours when visibility can be reduced.
As the investigation continues, the Oregon State Police have expressed condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.