25-year-old Western Lane Ambulance District employee dies in crash on Highway 126

A four-vehicle crash on Highway 126 east of Walton killed one woman and injured other drivers and passengers Monday. 

State troopers and emergency personnel responded to the crash at 7:14 a.m. Monday near milepost 37. 

Sarah Susman, a 25-year-old from Springfield, died in the crash. 

Officials say a preliminary investigation shows a Kenworth log truck, driven by a 64-year-old Eugene man, was headed east when the loaded trailer tipped over. 

The trailer hit two vehicles — a Dodge Ram towing a boat driven by a 70-year-old Eugene man and a Toyota Prius driven by Susman.

The truck towing the boat then struck a Ford Mustang driven by a 20-year-old from Coquille.

Susman worked part-time for Western Lane Ambulance District and was on her way to work, according to a Facebook post. 

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends and to all of our (Western Lane Ambulance District) and (Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue) team members in this difficult time," the post reads. 

The drivers of the log truck and the Ford Mustang were taken with injuries to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend in Springfield. The driver of the Ram truck had minor injuries.

Police were still investigating the crash Monday night.

The highway had reopened by Tuesday morning after a lengthy closure and detour.

Contact city government watchdog Megan Banta at mbanta@registerguard.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.