Street racing eyed in fatal
Identified as Claudio Martinez-Marquez, he is the seventh person to die on Yamhill County roads this year. Troopers from the Oregon State Police gave this account:
Jeremy Gaylin Hopper, 24, of McMinnville, was northbound in the 2010 Lancer when it spun out of control just north of McMinnville on Highway 99W. It crossed the center median and struck the oncoming 2004 Odyssey.
A passenger in the Honda, Bonifacio Martinez-Garcia, 33, of McMinnville, was hospitalized with serious injuries. So were Hopper and a passenger in his car, Natasha Fisher, 18, of McMinnville, who was flown to a Portland trauma center for treatment.
Troopers are investigating the possibility that the 2010 Lancer was racing a silver 2013 Lancer at the time. They said the driver of the other Lancer pulled over and remained at the scene.
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
myopinion
Once they deem this racing, will the other racer be charged as well? I certainly hope so.
Mudstump
If these guys were racing a 43-year-old man lost his life because of a stupid testosterone fueled race to see who had the faster car. It is really tragic, senseless and avoidable. My condolences to the family of the deceased.
Joel2828
Would sure be nice if the NR would do a follow up story. Was it street racing? is the guy in jail??
sbagwell
The case remains under investigation. We will report any new developments as they emerge. There is nothing so far.
Steve
Paul Daquilante
Joel2828 . . .
There will be a follow-up story in Friday's paper.
Paul Daquilante/reporter