Crime & Safety

Police ID 3 Killed In Santiam Pass Car Crash

Speed and alcohol are being investigated as contributing factors to a single vehicle wreck east of Gates Monday night.

GATES, OR — Speed and alcohol are being investigated as factors in a fatal Monday night car crash on Highway 22E, according to Oregon State Police. Of the five people in the vehicle at the time of crash, three were killed and two sustained serious injuries.

The crash reportedly occurred near milepost 35 in the Santiam Pass, east of Gates, just before 6:45 p.m. Oct. 1. Police officials said a silver 2004 GMC Envoy was apparently traveling west toward Salem when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle left the road and collided with several trees.

Two people were killed when they were thrown from the GMC, police officials said. Of the three occupants that remained in the car, only the driver and one other reportedly survived — though they were seriously hurt and required hospitalization. Their current conditions are unknown.

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On Wednesday, Oregon State Police identified the driver of the vehicle as 31-year-old Lebanon resident David Trimble. The only surviving passenger was identified as Brandon Mims, 34, also of Lebanon.

The three passengers who were killed are Daniel O'Neal, 24, of Foster, Amanda Salmon, 23, of Lebanon, and Stacie Williams, 31, of Ocala, Florida.

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The highway was closed for more than two hours while police cleared the scene.

This investigation is reportedly ongoing.

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