McMinnville man dies in Highway 99W crash
Street racing is being investigated as the cause of a fatal two-vehicle crash just north of McMinnville on Highway 99W about 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Oregon State Police.
Troopers gave this account:
Jeremy G. Hopper, 24, of McMinnville, was driving 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer northbound when the car went out of control, crossed the center paved median and struck a 2004 Honda Odyssey nearly head-on.
The driver of the Honda, Claudio Martinez Marquez, 43, of McMinnville, was pronounced dead at the scene. He's the seventh person to die on Yamhill County roads this year
A passenger in his vehicle, Bonifacio Martinez Garcia, 33, of McMinnville, was hospitalized with serious injuries. So were Hopper and a passenger of his, Natasha Fisher, 18, of McMinnville.
Fisher was flown to a Portland trauma center for treatment.
A silver 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer may have been involved in the incident as well. The driver remained at the scene, troopers said..
Multiple agencies responded, including the McMinnville Fire Department and Oregon Department of Transportation. The highway was closed for about eight hours while the crash was investigated and the scene cleared.
Comments
AMcEvoy
The OSP report stated that Hopper had serious injuries and was transported. The driver of a 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer stayed at the scene - Hopper's was a 2010. Just thought you might want to correct.
Very sad.
sbagwell
Thanks. The account has been revised and corrected.
I couldn't agree more. Very sad chain of events.
Steve Bagwell, managing editor
marty10230
Could we know a little bit more about Claudio Marquez? Did he leave family behind?
shbrooks
Claudio left his wife and children with out a husband and father now. So sad! I know his family personally. My son is friends with his step-son.