Photo: OSP
NORTH PLAINS – A Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy and another driver were injured in a two vehicle collision around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Glencoe Road and Wren Road between Forest Grove and North Plains, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP).
The officer, deputy Frank Ward, is the deputy assigned on a full time basis to the city of Banks, and is the closest thing the city has to a police chief.
According to OSP, a preliminary investigation showed that Jordan Cutts, 24, of Forest Grove was driving north on Glencoe Road in a silver Mazda Protege when he crossed into the southbound lane to turn onto Wren Road.
At this point, he struck Deputy Ward’s police vehicle head on.
Both drivers were taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital with serious injuries.
The intersection was closed for 3.5 hours
In addition to OSP, the North Plains Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Land Use and Transportation, and the Oregon Department of Transportation responded to the scene.
In photos released by the Oregon State Police, a crashed patrol car emblazoned with the city of Banks logo is seen on the side of the road.
The city of Banks is provided with police services through a contract with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Banks city manager Jolynn Becker told the Banks Post in a phone call that the city was notified that Deputy Ward was involved in the crash.
In a Facebook post on the city of Banks page, the city said that Ward’s injuries were not life threatening, but that he would not be returning to work for some time.
“Members of the community that wish to send cards to Deputy Ward, may drop them off at Banks City Hall,” the post said.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Ward is expected to make a full recovery.
Earlier in the day, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office had asked motorists to avoid a heavily congested Glencoe Road after Zion Church Road was closed due to a fatal crash near the intersection of Zion Church Road and Milne Road.
According to a Washington County Sheriff’s Office press release, a motorcycle driver was killed after apparently clipping the edge of a GMC Jimmy while attempting to pass it.
The fatal crash occurred about two miles away from the crash involving the deputy.
This article has been updated with new information supplied by the Oregon State Police, and with information posted on April 18 by the city of Banks and WCSO.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
