Multi-vehicle pileups on I-84, Hwy. 97; Trooper revives overdosed male in TD
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 16, 2024 — Oregon State Police Troopers were hopping on Thursday, Feb. 15, as wrecks caused by icy conditions and an overdose sent blue lights flashing on Highway 97 and in The Dalles. It all happened within 2 hours.
A Trooper responded to a report of several commercial trucks that rolled at milepost 61 about four miles southwest of Shaniko at 7:30 p.m. “This commercial truck lost control due to ice while heading south on US-97. The commercial truck slid around and rolled on the east side of the roadway,” reported Trooper Travis Paulsen.
A half-hour later, Trooper Nicklus Rumsey heard a dispatch of an overdose in The Dalles at Sixth and Walnut streets and responded, finding an adult male unconscious and unresponsive, according to the OSP log. The man was reported in a blue Honda, according to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Log.
Rumsey administered NARCAN nasal spray - an antidote for opioid overdoses. He then commenced sternum rubs, a technique to test an unconscious person's responsiveness. It involves giving a firm rub on the sternum - the flat bone in the middle of your chest - to see if there's a reaction.
The male opened his eyes momentarily then closed them again, the Trooper reported, but the male had a strong pulse and medics transported him to Adventist Health Medical Center in The Dalles.
Shortly after 9 p.m., Trooper Paulsen on Highway 97 reported a secondary crash due to the others at milepost 61. A commercial truck jackknifed and struck another commercial truck, entangling the trailers and blocking the roadway.
Purdy’s Towing of Brightwood, Ore., responded and removed the trucks.
Troopers also responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 84 in Gilliam County near Arlington this morning, Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m.
Trooper Jacob Ferrer assisted the Gilliam County Sheriff’s office as six commercial vehicles and one passenger were involved in the pileup. “One driver was transported to the hospital. Purdy's Towing and D&R Towing recovered/removed the involved vehicles,” according to the Oregon State Police Log.
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