Fatal accident claims two lives on Highway 39 in Klamath County

Klamath County, Oregon, August 26, 2024 – On Monday, August 26, 2024, at 11:33 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a motor vehicle crash on Highway 39, near mile marker 16, in Klamath County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a northbound Chrysler Town and Country, driven by Sharon Mae Young, 75, of Alturas, CA, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, drove through a fence and struck a tree.

The driver of the Chrysler (Young) was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Two passengers in the Chrysler, Helen Loretta Plumlee, 51, of Alturas, CA, and Jeffrey Paul Phillips, 66, of Alturas, CA, were transported for injuries. Plumlee was later pronounced dead at a medical center.

The highway was impacted for approximately one hour while the investigation was conducted on site. The primary cause of the accident was a possible medical event involving the driver of the vehicle.

OSP was assisted by the Merrill Fire Department and ODOT.