Loose Christmas Tote Causes Three-Vehicle Crash on I-84

By Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Ore., April 16, 2025 — A loose plastic tote of Christmas decorations led to a three-vehicle crash with injuries on Interstate 84 near milepost 96 on Tuesday, April 15, according to the Oregon State Police.

A 65-year-old man from Welches was moving belongings to his new home when the tote fell out of his utility trailer and landed in the left westbound lane of the highway.

A 2010 Volkswagen GTI driven by Andrew Joseph Durante, 25, of Eugene, attempted to avoid the debris by braking. His brother, Adam Christopher Durante, 28, was riding as a passenger.

A 2018 Toyota 4Runner driven by Betta Lee Horn, 52, of Goldendale, Washington, swerved to avoid the Volkswagen, attempting to pass between it and a commercial semi-truck in the right lane. The 4Runner struck the Volkswagen from behind, then ricocheted into the center median, pushing several barriers into the eastbound side of the highway.

All three individuals reported pain at the scene. Horn, who had recently undergone neck surgery, was transported to a hospital for evaluation. She was later cited for following too closely and warned for careless driving, troopers said.

River’s Edge Towing removed both the 4Runner and the Volkswagen from the scene.

The commercial vehicle was not involved in the collision. No charges were filed against the man whose trailer lost the tote.

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