Oh Deer, Multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 84 caused by deer leads to injuries
File Photo from Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Annual migrations of deer and elk often lead to wrecks.
By Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore. Nov. 19, 2024 — A crash involving multiple vehicles and injuries blocked traffic on Interstate 84 after a herd of deer crossed both lanes of the highway, according to Oregon State Police.
Tow truck drivers were busy.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18 just east of the Discovery Center exit when a Toyota 4Runner towing an empty U-Haul trailer stopped on the interstate and activated its hazard lights after encountering six to eight deer in the roadway.
A gray Mazda3 driven by Kevin Wayne Harris, 60, was unable to stop in time, struck the trailer, and came to rest in the fast lane.
Shortly after, a gray Nissan Rogue driven by Fred Bergren, 58, stopped ahead of the Mazda3 and activated its hazard lights. Bergren attempted to help a female passenger exit the Mazda but returned to his car and fastened his seatbelt when he saw that traffic was not slowing down. Moments later, a gray Nissan Altima driven by Cory James Ellson, 31, collided with the Rogue.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing the deer in the roadway, and at least one person observed both collisions, police reported.
Several people involved in the crash were transported to Adventist Health for treatment. Investigators conducted most of their interviews at the hospital, according to the OSP report.
The Mazda, Nissan, Rogue, and U-Haul trailer had to be towed from the roadway by Rivers Edge Towing, and the Oregon Department of Transportation cleared debris to reopen the interstate.
State police said the drivers of the Mazda3 and Nissan Altima were traveling too fast for the conditions. The driver of the Mazda3 was cited at the scene, and a follow-up is planned to cite the driver of the Altima.
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