Multi-Vehicle Accident on Kills One, Injures Three

Date: March 27, 2011
Location: Interstate 84 West of Cascade Locks
Names: Vicky Ann Bankhardt, Marc Edward Taylor, Alison M. Maclean, Dejon D. Bowman, William R. Closner

A multi-vehicle crash resulted in the death of a Happy Valley woman and injuries to several others.

Late Sunday afternoon at around 5:37pm on March 27, an Oregon State Police news release states that traffic in both westbound lanes of Interstate 84 near milepost 42 had briefly stopped. The roadway was wet and it was raining. Early investigations indicated that Marc Edward Taylor, age 20 of Edmonds, Washington, was headed west in a 1992 Acura Vigor at freeway speeds in the right lane. Taylor reportedly didn’t see that the traffic ahead was stopped and smashed into the back of a 1992 Geo Metro two-door being driven by Vicky Ann Bankhardt, age 33 of Happy Valley. The impact pushed Bankhardt’s vehicle forward into the back of a 1990 Ford Econoline van, and that led to a chain reaction crash that ultimately involved four other vehicles stopped in both westbound traffic lanes.

Bankhardt was pronounced deceased at the scene. Taylor and his two passengers received minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland for treatment. The passengers, who were not using safety restraints, were identified as Alison M. Maclean, age 20 of Nampa, Idaho, and Dejon D. Bowman, age 20 of Tumwater, Washington.

The Ford Econoline van’s driver, William R. Closner, age 75 of Stevenson, Washington, and the drivers of the four other involved vehicles were not injured, and they were able to drive their cars from the scene.

The death of a loved family member is tragic, and our hearts go out to Vicky Bankhardt’s family. We also send our wishes to everyone who was injured in this crash to recover fully.

If you are suffering because of a car crash and wondering what to do next, we offer free information, including how to find a good Portland injury lawyer, how much your case might be worth, and our free book, 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case is available for Oregon residents and people who were in an accident in Oregon. We also offer free consultations, and you can contact us if you have questions.