WARM SPRINGS, OR -- Three people died in a multi-vehicle crash west of Warm Springs, Monday evening. Oregon State Police believe 31-year-old Nathan Verhaeghe, of Spokane, was westbound on Highway 26 when he rear-ended a car driven by 37-year-old Adam Clausen, of Portland. Clausen’s vehicle was then pushed into oncoming traffic and hit a van.
Clausen and his passenger, 39-year-old Shannon O’Leary, were both pronounced dead at the scene; a four-year-old in their car was taken to St. Charles Bend with minor injuries. The driver of the van, 34-year-old Robert Burke, was also killed in the crash. His passenger, 29-year-old Rachel Burke was flown to St. Charles with serious injuries; a toddler went to the hospital with minor injuries. Verhaeghe also suffered minor injuries.
OSP is investigating speed and other factors as potential causes of the crash.
