Klamath Falls Couple Dies Tuesday in Highway 97 Wreck

Two people from the Klamath Falls area died Tuesday afternoon when their sport utility vehicle crashed head-on with a commercial truck that veered into their lane on Highway 97 about 43 miles north of Klamath Falls.

According to Oregon State Police Sgt. Robert Fenner, at approximately 5:45 p.m. Tuesday a northbound 2003 Kenworth truck driven by Ajmer Singh, 25, from Yuba City, Calif., sideswiped a southbound Dodge pickup pulling an occupied horse trailer as they passed in opposite directions.

After sideswiping, the Dodge pickup and horse trailer was able to come to a stop on the southbound shoulder.  The commercial truck veered into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a southbound 1992 Jeep Wrangler with two occupants, both of whom were pronounced deceased at the scene.

The victims are identified as driver Clay J. Newcomer, 23, and passenger Dotsie J. Irion, 21, both from Klamath Falls.  The couple lived together and were returning home following a visit in the Vancouver, Wash., area.  They were using safety restraints.

Singh was using safety restraints and received minor injuries not requiring medical treatment.

The driver of the Dodge pickup, Samantha Gallagher, 31, from Merrill, was not injured.  The horses in the trailer were not hurt.

OSP troopers from the Klamath Falls Area Command and Gilchrist offices are continuing the investigation that will include determining point of initial impact involving the sideswiping vehicles.  The highway was icy and snow-covered.

Highway 97 was closed about 90 minutes before one lane was opened until the highway was completely re-opened about 11:30 p.m. ODOT and Chiloquin Fire Department assisted at the scene.