Motorist forces vehicle off I-84 in alleged road rage east of Arlington
Wrecked vehicle in alleged road rage incident that occurred this morning, Oct. 7 near Arlington. Photo Courtesy Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office.
From Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office with additions by CCCNews:
Gilliam County, Ore., Oct. 7, 2024 — A white sedan heading west on Interstate 84 was forced off the road and crashed during a road rage incident, according to Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office.
Frontier Regional 911 dispatcher took a report of a motor vehicle crash on Interstate 84 near milepost 140 westbound at 10:23 a.m., according to the report.
“Our dispatchers and deputies quickly learned the crash was due to a road rage issue with another vehicle. The suspect vehicle was reported to have struck the victim's vehicle causing the victim to lose control and crash into the metal guardrail,” the Sheriff’s Office stated in a Facebook post.
“The victim sustained injuries in the crash and was transported to a local area hospital for medical care after North Gilliam Rural Fire Protection District, Boardman Fire Rescue District, Oregon State Police, and Oregon Department of Transportation responded to the scene.
“The suspect and suspect vehicle were located about 17 miles away from the crash, and the driver was taken into custody for multiple crimes.”
The Sheriff’s Office said Oregon State Police are handling the criminal investigation.
OSP Trooper Matthew Newby reported that Mark McKellar, age 63, of Grand Ronde was arrested in connection with the incident.
McKellar is now facing charges of fourth-degree assault and felony hit and run.
Newby said the two vehicles involved in the incident had been driving near each other for 30 miles and had passed each other several times.
He said one of the vehicles attempted to pass the other, and that is when the vehicles made contact with each other.
“People need a strong dose of patience,” Newby said, agreeing that multiple road rage incidents on Interstate 84, including two cases where a gun was drawn, had occurred in the past several months.
Emergency services line the westbound lane if Interstate 84 near Arlington where a car hit a guard rail during an alleged road rage incident.
“We are very fortunate this incident did not result in more serious injuries or even death.,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “We would like to thank our agency partners including the Boardman Medic unit who responded to assist, as North Gilliam Medic Ambulance was transporting another unrelated patient to a local area hospital.”
The westbound slow lane was affected for about 30 minutes as resources were on the scene. D & R Towing responded to the scene and recovered the vehicle.
“We want to acknowledge the number of witnesses/bystanders who stopped and assisted the victim as our first responders drove to the scene. Your compassion and empathy were definitely appreciated,” the post stated.
