Vehicles’ eight other occupants are hurt
Three Battle Ground teens were among eight people injured Saturday in a two-vehicle accident on Mount Hood that killed one man, according to the Oregon State Police.
OSP Sgt. Julie Wilcox said the accident occurred about 10:28 a.m. as Justin Wayne O’Neal, 16, of Battle Ground drove a 1992 GMC Yukon south on Highway 35 about five miles north of the Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area.
O’Neal, who was driving with two teenage passengers, lost control of the SUV when he attempted to pass another vehicle on a snow- and ice-covered roadway and went into the path of an oncoming 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee with six occupants, Wilcox said in a press release.
The Jeep’s driver, Emmanuel Torres, 23, of Madras, Ore., veered to the right to avoid the Yukon, but the Jeep was struck in the driver’s side and came to a rest in a ditch along the highway. Torres was pronounced dead at the scene.
O’Neal was seriously injured and transported by ambulance to Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, then taken by LifeFlight to OHSU Hospital. He was reported in fair condition Saturday night.
O’Neal’s passengers, Josh David Muonio, 16, and Justin Theodore David, 15, both of Battle Ground, were treated at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital and released.
Torres’ 6-year-old daughter, Letticia Yasmin Torres, was transported by Life Flight to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, as was his 5-year-old son, Jose Damian Torres. Both were reported in critical condition late Saturday. Torres’ 11-year-old nephew, Isaac Leo Reynoso of Warm Springs, Ore., was transported by Life Flight to OHSU Hospital with serious injuries. He was reported in serious condition Saturday night.
Torres’ wife, Marjean Louise Alonso, 23, was transported to Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital and transferred to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, where she was reported in fair condition late Saturday. Torres’ sister-in-law Antonia Lynn Alonso, 27, of Warm Springs, was transported to Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital and was reported in critical condition late Saturday.
OSP troopers from The Dalles are continuing the investigation, Wilcox said. The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, Parkdale Fire Department and ODOT assisted at the scene. Highway 35 was closed for about two hours.
Mark Bowder: 360-735-4512 or mark.bowder@columbian.com.
