89-year-old driver arrested following fatal DUII wreck

JAMIESON, Ore. -- An 89-year old Vale, Ore., man was arrested Tuesday night on manslaughter and DUII charges following a two vehicle fatal head-on crash on Highway 26 just west of Jamison in northern Malheur County.

According to OSP Lt. Richard Pileggi, at 8:10 PM Tuesday a 1988 Ford F150 pickup occupied by David Messer, age 60, from Brogan, was stopped facing westbound near the eastbound shoulder fog line with hazard lights activated on Highway 26 near milepost 259. A 1990 Ford pickup driven by Warren Edwards, 89, from Vale, was eastbound and collided into the right front section of the stopped pickup.

Messer was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Edwards refused medical treatment and was subsequently arrested by OSP for Manslaughter in the Second Degree and DUII. He was also cited for No Operators License and Possession of an Open Container of Alcoholic Beverage in a Vehicle. Edwards was lodged in the Malheur County Jail.

Safety restraint use information is pending confirmation.

OSP troopers from the Ontario Area Command office are continuing the investigation with the assistance of Malheur County District Attorney's Office.

Malheur County Sheriff's Office, Vale Ambulance and ODOT assisted at the scene.