Timber Winegar Killed in Grant County Car Accident
The John Day resident died after the vehicle she was riding in left Highway 395 and went down an embankment
Timber Winegar, 16, of John Day, was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 395 near milepost 15 in Grant County on July 10, according to the Oregon State Police.
A northbound blue Toyota Prius driven by a 17-year-old girl was driving at a high speed when it failed to round a curve. The car skidded across the southbound lane, left the gravel shoulder and plunged down a steep embankment. Winegar, who was a passenger in the Toyota, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
Investigators noted Winegar may not have been wearing a seatbelt. Impairment is not considered a factor in the crash.
More than 100 community members gathered at the Grant Union Gym in John Day on July 11 for a candlelight vigil to mourn the teenager's death.
The crash remains under investigation.
The tragic loss of young lives in crashes like the one that killed Winegar leaves families and tight-knit communities searching for answers and accountability. In such difficult times, understanding the investigative process is important for those left behind.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Reconstructing a fatal single-vehicle crash takes patience and a methodical approach, since skid marks, debris patterns, and vehicle damage all tell part of a larger story about speed, direction, and impact force. Passenger positioning matters too."
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney works with reconstruction specialists to piece together a timeline that insurance companies cannot easily dispute or minimize later," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Why did the Toyota Prius leave Highway 395?
Investigators are examining the road geometry near milepost 15 to determine exactly how the vehicle lost traction. Speeding significantly reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around curves, especially on rural highways where shoulders offer little room for correction.
How do investigators analyze single-vehicle rollover crashes?
Single-vehicle roadway departures represent the leading category of traffic fatalities in Oregon. They account for roughly 47 percent to 55 percent of the state's fatal and serious injury crashes, according to state transportation data.
When a passenger is killed due to a driver's failure to maintain control, independent investigations often review tire marks, vehicle data recorders, and road conditions to establish liability.
Oregon wrongful death statute
Under ORS § 30.020, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Oregon applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.
"Insurance disputes after a fatal single-vehicle crash surface quickly when coverage limits fall short of funeral costs and financial hardship facing relatives. Legal counsel steps in to negotiate with adjusters and push for fair compensation rather than a rushed resolution," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.