The long stretch of Interstate 84 closed for most of Saturday after a massive 26-car pileup has reopened to single-lane traffic, Oregon highway officials announced.
The pileup – caused before 5 a.m. by a treacherous combination of black ice, steep terrain and poor visibility – involved more than 12 semi trucks and trapped over 50 vehicles. More than 160 miles of eastbound lanes were closed from Pendleton to Ontario, as crews worked all day to remove cars, trucks and debris from the road.
The Oregon Department of Transportation advised travelers to watch for crews and equipment in the closed lane of the eastbound freeway near the crash site, about a 33-mile drive east of Baker City. Cleanup operations may last a few more days.
Twelve people were injured and treated at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Baker City for various injuries, hospital officials said. Six arrived by ambulance and six by third party, according to Oregon State Police. Two remained there and were in stable condition as of Saturday afternoon.
One patient was transferred to OHSU Hospital in Portland with serious injuries, and four patients – one of them in serious condition – were transferred to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, according to state police. Two more patients were brought to the Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande for treatment.
None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening.
ODOT warned drivers to expect winter conditions in Eastern Oregon and to drive at speeds appropriate for icy roads.
Read more on the Interstate 84 pileup:
- "Black ice, dangerous terrain contributed to 'very serious crash'"
- Crushed by 2 big rigs, he walks out with 2 Band-Aids
- 'I had to keep this guy from bleeding out,' witness says
-- Luke Hammill
lhammill@oregonian.com
503-294-4029
@lucashammill