McMinnville woman killed in Wallace Road crash

A McMinnville woman was killed Wednesday afternoon in a single vehicle crash on Wallace Road in Polk County.

The Oregon State State Police identified the victim as Shari Smith, 50.

Troopers gave this account of the 2 p.m. crash:

Deborah Wall, 55, of McMinnville, was driving a 1999 Dodge Durango southbound when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a telephone pole. Smith, the right-front passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene. Wall was transported by ground ambulance to Salem Hospital with serious injuries.

Troopers are investigating the possibility that Wall swerved in an attempt to miss a vehicle that was in her lane. Law enforcement personnel searched the area for the other involved vehicle, but found nothing.

The crash knocked out power to area homes and Comcast cable and internet services in parts of Yamhill County. The nearby Wheatland Ferry also suffered a power outage, but it reopened later.

In addition to OSP, the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Polk County fire personnel, Portland General Electric and an Oregon Department of Transportation crew responded.

The highway was closed for about four hours while the scene was cleared and an investigation took place.

Anyone with information about the crash should call recruit trooper Jason Robb at the Salem Command Office, 503-378-3387.