Three-Vehicle Crash, No Injuries on I-84, Milepost 81 Eastbound
By Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore. Oct. 11, 2024 – A three-vehicle accident on Interstate 84 eastbound blocked traffic for about an hour Wednesday afternoon when a trailer tipped, blocking both lanes, according to a report from Oregon State Police.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:28 p.m. at milepost 81 when a Ford pickup, driven by Robert E. Charley, 46, was traveling in the slow lane with a long dip net handle secured to the top of the vehicle. A rope broke, causing the pole to extend into the traffic lane.
As Charley attempted to pull over, the pole continued to extend into the lane. A Dodge pickup, driven by Michael James Burke, 75, swerved to avoid the pole. Burke’s vehicle, which was pulling a camp trailer, collided with a commercial motor vehicle pulling a car trailer, driven by Alfred Junior Reyes, 38.
Burke’s vehicle lost control, and the trailer tipped over, blocking the highway. The Dodge truck also hit the guardrail, sustaining significant front-end damage. Eastbound traffic on I-84 was closed for roughly an hour until one lane reopened.
Burke’s vehicle and trailer were towed from the scene by Purdy’s Towing, based in The Dalles. None of the drivers or passengers, including Burke’s passenger, Pamela Melinda Burke, 71, reported injuries.