Cottage Grove, OR : Driver killed after a collision with a commercial van on Highway 99 near Cottage Grove on Monday morning, May 16, 2016

Oregon State Police are investigating a Monday morning crash between a car and a commercial van that killed an automobile-loving teenager from Cottage Grove.

South Lane Fire and Rescue crews were called to the crash scene on Highway 99 just north of Cottage Grove at 8:12 a.m. and arrived to find Connor R. Fitch, 18, in a red Subaru wagon, suffering from serious injuries. Fitch was taken to Cottage Grove Hospital where he later died, fire officials said.

The driver of the van, Bryan A. Ross, 25, of Eugene, was not injured.

According to police, Fitch was driving north when, for unknown reasons, he veered off the east shoulder of the highway and then crossed over into the southbound lane. Ross’ van struck Fitch’s Subaru on the rear passenger side, police said.

Ross was driving a commercial vehicle for Home Comfort, a heating and air conditioning company based in Eugene. A phone message to Home Comfort seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Fitch was a member of the local car enthusiasts’ community, with tributes appearing on his Facebook page from such organizations as Eugene Car Scene Group and 541 Car Meets.

Friends on those pages appeared to be planning a gathering Monday night at Cottage Grove Lake in Fitch’s honor.

Fitch’s Facebook profile features mostly pictures of his vehicle.

“He was a good friend (and) brother, and definitely a great person,” Fitch’s sister, Angeline Larsen, said Monday evening. “He will be missed dearly.”

Source :
Cottage Grove teenager killed in crash Monday morning