Translate
____
Dog also killed in deadly crash
____
Please reference CCSO Case # 21-001790
Photos/video:
- B-roll video from crash scene (.mp4 format)
- Photos: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ]
- Renny
On Monday Jan. 25, 2021, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a two-vehicle traffic crash at the 15200 block of S. Springwater Road.
As deputies and emergency workers were deploying to the crash scene, 911 dispatch advised that both drivers were injured and trapped inside their vehicles.
American Medical Response and Clackamas Fire District #1 responded with paramedics and heavy rescue crews. Happy Valley police and code-enforcement officers also responded to assist at the crash scene.
When emergency crews arrived, they found two vehicles -- a red Toyota Celica and a blue Volvo C30 -- with extensive front-end damage.
Crews worked to determine the extent of injuries and free the two involved drivers from their vehicles. Due to the seriousness of the injuries, a Life Flight air ambulance was requested. Emergency crews responded to nearby Carver Park to secure a safe landing zone for the helicopter.
Deputies interviewed witnesses to the crash. Based on these statements and evidence collected at the scene, authorities believe the red Toyota Celica abruptly crossed the center line and collided with the blue Volvo C30.
The critically injured driver of the red Toyota Celica -- later identified as Veronica Lynn Zearing, 52, of Portland -- was transported by ground ambulance to Carver Park, then by Life Flight to a local level-one trauma hospital. She later died at the hospital; family notifications have since been completed. Authorities have determined Zearing was the at-fault driver in the crash.
The driver of the blue Volvo C30 was transported to an area level-one trauma hospital by ground ambulance. She is a 62-year-old Happy Valley woman who was travelling with her dog, Renny. She sustained fractures and abrasions in the crash. Renny, a 14-year-old cockapoo, unfortunately died due to injuries sustained from the collision. A photo of Renny is linked above.
An analysis of Zearing's blood revealed no alcohol, but did confirm the presence of a depressant and stimulants to include methamphetamine. (These results do not determine impairment, only the presence of the substance.) Zearing's driver's license was also suspended. She had a history of driving while suspended and without insurance.
This was one of 20 traffic collisions Clackamas County 911 operators dispatched emergency personnel to throughout the day on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021.
A Sheriff's Office deputy who serves on the Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Technician (CRAFT) team also responded to the scene to investigate. His investigation is ongoing.
Photos from the crash scene are linked above. B-roll video is here.
[END]
Sgt. Marcus Mendoza
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Public Information Unit