On Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 4:59 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-34, near milepost 1, in Linn County. The preliminary investigation indicated a Ford Fusion, operated by 19-year old Jimmie Eugene Beck Jr of Newport, was westbound on Hwy-34 in the fast lane. The Ford left the fast lane, crossing the center turn lane and into the oncoming eastbound lane where it struck a silver Nissan Versa, operated by 43-year old Jennifer Davina Gere of Lebanon, head-on.
Gere, the operator of the Nissan was declared deceased, by responding medical personnel, at the scene. Beck Jr. the operator of the Ford was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries. The highway was impacted for approximately 6 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation. OSP was assisted by the Benton County Sheriff's Department, Corvallis PD, and Corvallis Fire.
