PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Sections of Interstate 84 Eastbound have reopened on Tuesday after officials reported multiple crashes throughout the Gorge, including a fatal collision near Rooster Rock State Park.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that one person was killed during a collision with a semi-truck. MCSO said deputies were responding to another crash in the area when they learned of the second one.
An initial investigation suggests a person was standing outside their SUV when a semi-truck hit and killed them. Sometime later, a second semi-truck crashed into the scene, according to MCSO.
The two semi-truck drivers, who were not injured, are both reportedly cooperating.
As of 1:45 p.m., ODOT said all eastbound lanes of I-84 have reopened from Troutdale to Hood River. The westbound lanes reopened around 9 a.m.
Don Hamilton with ODOT blamed many of the crashes and spin outs on black ice and strong winds.
“We’ve got all hands on deck in the Gorge right now,” said Hamilton. “This is one of the areas for ODOT where we get a little bit of everything. So, we’ve got a lot of equipment and gear stored because we need it out there at Cascade Locks because that’s what the Gorge is like.”
ODOT said it will fully reopen I-84 once crashed vehicles are cleared and the roadway is treated. There is no estimated time on reopening however.
Drivers were initially urged to use Highway 26 over Mount Hood during the closing, but ODOT said “heavy traffic and heavy snow are plaguing” that route.
State Route 14 in Washington, however, has reopened in both directions after drivers experienced similar winter conditions early Tuesday morning.
Sub-freezing temperatures throughout the Gorge have created “extremely hazardous conditions,” with a winter weather advisory in effect for the area. The National Weather Service forecasts freezing rain between Troutdale and north Bonneville and snow between Cascade Locks and the upper Hood River Valley.
ODOT warns drivers throughout western Oregon to be cautious of winter conditions while traveling this week.
Watch AM Extra’s full interview with Don Hamilton below.