Yamhill County, Ore. – A fatal accident on Highway 99 north of McMinnville may have been caused by racing vehicles.
Oregon State Police say the accident took place Wednesday night around 9:00 near milepost 34 in Yamhill County.
According to officers, a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer was traveling northbound on Highway 99 when it apparently lost control, drove across the center median, and struck an oncoming Honda minivan nearly head-on.
The driver of the Mitsubishi, identified by officers at 24-year-old McMinnville resident Jeromy Hopper, was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Jeromy’s passenger, 19-year-old Natasha Fisher, also from McMinnville, was taken to the hospital with critical injures.
The driver of the Honda, 43-year-old McMinnville resident Martinez Marquez, was pronounced dead at the scene. Martinez Marquez’s passenger, 33-year-old Bonifacio Garcia, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Police say a driver of a separate Mitsubishi Lancer remained on the scene after the crash. Speed racing is being investigated as a factor in the crash.
OSP says the highway was closed for roughly 8 hours following the crash.
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