Portland injury attorney

Oregon Multi-Vehicle Accident Kills One, Injures Others

03/16/11

Location: Interstate 84 West of Huntington
Names: Asiah Fuller-Norris, Barbara Norris, Rebecca Clark, Julie Siefker, Evita Ramirez, Gomercindo Figueroa-Baez

According to Oregon State Police, a 10-year old Idaho girl was killed and several people were injured in a multi-car crash.

At about 5:38am on February 18, 2011 Barbara Norris, age 32 of Caldwell, Idaho, was westbound in a 2005 Ford Focus on Interstate 84 near milepost 345 outside of Huntington. As Norris attempted a left curve, she lost control of her vehicle and spun out on the icy highway. Rebecca Clark, age 41 of LaFayette, Georgia, was also westbound in a 2006 Freightliner truck pulling a semi-trailer full of household products. Clark tried to avoid the Ford but the semi-trailer crashed into it, pushing it into the guardrail.

No one was injured in this collision and all five of the passengers exited the car and were standing next to the guardrail when a 1998 Pontiac Firebird driven by Gomercindo Figueroa-Baez, age 37 of Jerome, Idaho, careened out of control and struck four of the five people standing there.

Asiah Fuller-Norris, age 10 of Caldwell, Idaho and daughter of the Ford’s driver, died at the scene.

Julie Siefker, age 31 of La Grande, was flown to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise where she was reported to be in critical condition.

Barbara Norris and Evita Ramirez, age 29 of La Grande, were taken by ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario with minor injuries. The fifth passenger in the Ford Focus, an 11-year old boy, jumped over the guardrail to avoid injury.

The Pontiac Firebird’s driver, Figueroa-Baez, was also taken to Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario with minor injuries.

Rebecca Clark and a 40-year old male passenger, who is unidentified, were not injured. The commercial truck is registered to Cedar Creek Trucking in Georgia.

We are so saddened by this tragic accident and the death of Asiah Fuller-Norris, who had her whole life ahead of her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family as they mourn her passing. We also hope that the occupants of all of the vehicles involved in this freakish accident will recover fully and be completely healthy very soon.

The icy road conditions undoubtedly played a part in this series of impacts. It’s easy to forget that ice is still a hazard on our roads, and extra caution is needed when driving.

The Oregon State Dept. of Transportation has issued the following guidelines for driving in icy conditions:

  • Stay informed on weather conditions, possible traffic hazards and highway closures. Allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.
  • Check road conditions at www.TripCheck.com or call 5-1-1.
  • Make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving with good tires, a good battery, and a full tank of gas.
  • Make sure you have an emergency kit and chains or traction tires, especially if traveling over mountain passes.
  • Drive according to conditions. If it’s wet, icy, snowy or foggy, slow down and increase your following distance behind other vehicles to at least a four-second distance. Keep in mind that conditions may not be safe to drive at the posted speed.
  • Be alert for potential icy conditions during cold weather on bridges, curves and shaded areas.
  • Use headlights even in daylight to help other drivers see you.
  • Don’t use cruise control in wet, icy, snowy or foggy conditions.

If your child is suffering because of a car crash and you are wondering what to do next, our Portland child injury attorneys offer free information, including how to find a good Portland injury lawyer, 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.