Three people hurt in crash

THE DALLES — A log truck striking two vehicles Feb. 16 sent two police troopers and a civilian driver to the hospital, leaving a police dog shaken but unhurt.

The truck hit a Fish and Game K-9 unit and another truck at Highway 197 and Bret Clodfelter Way. The Dalles Police responded at 7:30 a.m.

The crash happened when an unloaded log truck took westbound Exit 87 off Interstate 84 and ran the stop sign. The log truck impacted the northbound OSP fish and game truck, kept going, and hit a southbound commercial vehicle in the box trailer, The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy.

Both troopers in the vehicle sustained “significant injuries” and were taken to a Portland area trauma center; both are in stable condition and expected to survive. The police dog, Scout, was shaken up, but unhurt, said Worthy.

Medics treated and released the unloaded log truck’s driver for minor “non-serious injuries,” Worthy said. The driver of the box trailer was unhurt.

Highway 197 and Bret Clodfelter Way closed for most of the day, diverting traffic to Hood River and Biggs Junction.

The Dalles Police is investigating the cause of the crash, and asks the public to share any information. Call 541-296-2613 and refer to case D26-0261. No enforcement action has been taken yet, with more inspections of involved vehicles to come.

“Thank you to all the local first responders for the great care and professionalism displayed in responding to this crash. We are keeping our troopers and their families in our hearts as they focus on healing,” OSP posted.

Oregon State Police, ODOT, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, and Wasco County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the crash.