Authorities in Malheur County are investigating a fatal head-in collision that they say started with a woman being kidnapped.
About 6:45 a.m. Monday, the Ontario Police Department responded to a report of a kidnapping in progress at a convenience store in Ontario. Just as officers arrived on the scene, the suspect took off in a Dodge pickup. “Officers received information there was an adult female being held against her will in the pickup,” said Capitan Bill Fugate of the Oregon State Police.
Officers pursued the suspect into Ontario, then south onto Highway 201.
As the Dodge was traveling southbound, it crossed the center line and collided with a northbound Ford sport utility, Fugate said. “The driver of the Ford was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Ford was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries,” he added.
The suspect and driver of the Dodge received serious injuries and were also taken to an area hospital. Officers say they found the woman dead inside the truck.
The names of the victims have not yet been released.
We have a crew on the scene and will bring you the latest information as it becomes available.
Highway 201 is still closed for the investigation. The Oregon Department of transportation is detouring drivers around the area. It is unknown how long the highway will be shut down.
The Ontario Police Department, Malheur County Sheriff's Office, Malheur County District Attorney's Office, and the Oregon State Police are conducting the investigation.
