NEWBERG, Ore. – Two teens were killed and another critically injured in a crash on Highway 99W, just west of downtown Newberg Monday night that police blamed on speeding.
Nathan Dirk Hext, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene. Casey Binkerd, 15, of Dundee died at Oregon Health & Science University after being flown there in a LifeFlight helicopter.
Two other people also suffered injuries in the crash.
Witnesses told troopers that the car was speeding when it bumped over some railroad tracks, crossed into an oncoming lane, and hit a minivan head-on. No one in the minivan was seriously injured, police said.
The investigation showed Hext was traveling too fast for the conditions and lost control in a curve as he crossed the railroad tracks, then over-corrected and crossed the median, hitting the van in the northbound lane.
Binkerd was on the swim team at Newberg High School. Fellow students were having a tough time dealing with his death and grief counselors were at the school, trying to help.
"I've known Casey ever since we were in elementary school and I grew up with him and he was always such a good kid," said fellow student April Coffman.
The community of Dundee was also grieving over Hext's death. He attended high school in Brush Prairie. Both were promising young men with many friends.
The busy stretch of highway was partially closed for more than two hours during the investigation. Police said the stretch of roadway is especially dangerous for speeders.
Anyone with any information about the crash or who witnessed the crash was urged to contact Captain Jeff Kosmicki of the Newberg-Dundee Police Department to help in the investigation.
A memorial for Casey Binkerd was scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m., at the Bauman Auditorium on the George Fox University campus. Family members said the public was welcome to attend.
