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HR motorcycle rider killed in head-on crash; Other driver arrested on suspicion of DUI, Manslaughter

A Hood River man was killed Wednesday night on Highway 281 after an alleged DUI driver crossed into oncoming traffic, striking his motorcycle head-on. The crash closed the highway for five hours during investigation.

From Oregon State Police:

Hood River, Ore., Oct. 17, 2025 — A Hood River man was killed Wednesday night in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 281 after an alleged DUI driver attempted to pass in a no-passing zone, according to Oregon State Police.

Troopers said the crash occurred around 9:23 p.m. near milepost 7, when a southbound Subaru Impreza, driven by Pedro Jonathan Flores-Flores, 26, of Hood River, attempted to pass a southbound Toyota Corolla driven by Jesus Esquivel Martinez, 38, of Hood River. The Subaru struck a northbound Honda VT750 motorcycle, operated by Phillip Mickey Himes, 37, of Hood River, head-on.

Himes was pronounced dead at the scene. Both Flores-Flores and Esquivel Martinez were reportedly uninjured.

Flores-Flores was arrested on charges of DUII, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangering, and first-degree manslaughter.

Highway 281 was closed for roughly five hours during the investigation. The Oregon State Police were assisted at the scene by the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, Hood River Police Department, Wy’east Fire, and ODOT.

The crash remains under investigation.

About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU)

The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

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