13-Year-Old Killed, Several Injured in Highway 38 Crash in Douglas County
A 13-year-old boy was killed and several others, including multiple children, were injured in a head-on crash on Highway 38 near milepost 27 in Douglas County. Oregon State Police is asking anyone who saw the yellow Ram pickup and boat before the crash to contact investigators.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - A 13-year-old boy was killed and several others, including multiple children, were injured in a head-on crash on Highway 38 in Douglas County on Friday afternoon.
Oregon State Police responded to the crash near milepost 27 at approximately 1:38 p.m. on August 21.
According to OSP, the preliminary investigation found that a yellow 2021 Ram 2500 pickup towing a 17-foot boat was traveling eastbound on Highway 38 when it left its lane, crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a westbound 2012 Ford F350 pickup.
The Ram was driven by 63-year-old Jason Dean Paden of Portland. Paden suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
Two passengers in the Ram, including a 14-year-old girl, were also taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The Ford was driven by 56-year-old William Everett Ratledge of Oakland. Ratledge was transported by Life Flight to a local hospital following the crash.
Three juvenile boys were also traveling in the Ford. Two were transported to a local hospital with injuries. A 13-year-old boy was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The crash left a family mourning the loss of a child while several others began recovering from injuries sustained in the collision. OSP has not released the name of the 13-year-old who died.
Highway 38 was impacted for approximately five hours while emergency crews cared for those involved and investigators worked at the scene.
Lower Umpqua Ambulance, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Elkton Fire and Rescue, Scottsburg Fire and Rescue and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted Oregon State Police.
OSP Seeking Information
Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen the yellow Ram pickup and the boat it was towing before the crash to contact Oregon State Police.
Anyone with information about the crash or who observed the vehicle before the collision can contact OSP Dispatch at 800-442-0776 or dial OSP (677) from a mobile phone.
Callers should reference case number SP26-273676.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Comments ()