Date: May 8, 2009
Location: Hwy 20, 20 miles east of Newport, Oregon
Type: Car Accident
Names: Jack Whipple, Constance Abercrombie, Cory Lewis, Shawneen Santana
Outcome: Two Deaths, One Serious Injury, One Minor Injury
Oregon’s Highway 20, approximately twenty miles east of Newport, was the scene of a fatal head-on collision on Friday, May 8th. An eastbound Accura Integra driven by 17-year-old Cory A. Lewis of Lebanon, was struck by a westbound Cadillac De Ville driven by 86 year-old Jack Whipple. According to Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Bob Shawver, Whipple crossed the center line in an attempt to pass a car ahead. Lewis sustained minor injuries. Lewis’s passenger Shawneen Santana, 18, suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization and treatment at Samaritan Pacific Community Hospital and from Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, where she was subsequently transferred.
86 year-old Jack Whipple, the driver of the Cadillac, was killed from the impact, as was victim Constance E. Abercrombie, 76, his passenger. Upon the collision the Cadillac careened off the road and rolled at least once. Whipple and Abercrombie were both pronounced dead at the scene.
We at Shulman DuBois LLC are thankful that Cory Lewis survived with minor injuries, and our thoughts go out to Shawneen Santana to make a full and speedy recovery. Often, survivors of such incidents are traumatized. We sincerely hope that both young victims receive whatever help deemed necessary. Our sympathy also goes out to the friends and family of Constance Abercrombie and Jack Whipple.
In 2008, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation, there were 414 fatalities on Oregon highways, the fewest since years 1955 and 1999. The death rate per 100 million miles driven, was 1.25 in 2008. This statistic fell from 1.26 per 100 million miles driven in 2007 and 1.4 in 2006. While Oregon continues to improve safety on roads and highways, the reality of traffic fatalities remain inevitable. On another note, the driver of the Cadillac, Jack Whipple, was not wearing safety restraints. All others involved had indeed used seat belts.
If an unfortunate episode finds you or someone you know in need of representation as a result of injury, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get educated by reading our Frequently Asked Questions, exploring our Library, or ordering your free copy of 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
As of the date we posted this blog, Shulman DuBois LLC does not represent any of the parties. If you are mentioned in this article and believe you may need legal help, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Oregon law firms specializing in personal injury, including us, will provide free and confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to call and ask questions.
