Two Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish and Wildlife troopers were seriously injured after their patrol truck was struck by a semi‑truck on the offramp connecting Interstate 84 to Highway 197 near The Dalles. The incident, described by OSP as a significant collision, occurred on the morning of Feb. 15, though the agency has not yet released a more detailed timeline.

According to reporting by KGW, a semi‑truck driver struck the rear of the OSP vehicle while both troopers were inside. OSP stated that both troopers sustained serious injuries and were transported to nearby medical facilities. Additional crews, including local fire and EMS, responded to the crash site.

A second independent report from KOIN provides consistent details, noting that the collision occurred on the Highway 197 offramp and that the semi‑truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. As of Feb. 16, no information has been released publicly about potential citations, contributing factors, or the condition of the semi‑truck driver.

The injured troopers had been operating a Fish and Wildlife Division truck, which is typically used for resource enforcement patrols, hunter compliance checks, and response to wildlife‑related calls. OSP has not yet identified the troopers or provided updates on their current medical status, citing ongoing notification procedures.

The interchange where the crash occurred is a major travel corridor for southwest Washington residents heading toward central Oregon or the Columbia River Gorge. While the incident took place in Wasco County, it highlights the risks faced by law enforcement officers who regularly assist travelers from Longview, Kelso, and Cowlitz County navigating I‑84 and the surrounding recreation areas.

Why this matters

This crash underscores the vulnerability of roadside first responders and the broader implications for regional travel safety. Many southwest Washington residents use I‑84 for work, recreation, and transport, and collisions involving commercial trucks on high‑speed corridors can have far‑reaching impacts. OSP’s ongoing investigation may clarify whether infrastructure, traffic flow, or driver‑related factors contributed to the collision.

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