A Banks resident died in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 47 Saturday afternoon, Oregon State Police said.
According to a press release issued by OSP, the crash that claimed the life of Glennard Devon Purvee, 28, of Banks, was preceded by a different crash.
A preliminary investigation issued by the state’s top law enforcement agency said that Purvee was initially involved in a minor crash—a rear-end collision—just north of Banks while driving a Dodge Avenger. Purvee fled the scene and headed into town.
Driving south through the city of Banks on Highway 47, Purvee was traveling at a high rate of speed when their vehicle left the highway and collided with a tree on the west side of the road near milepost 87, between Banks and Forest Grove.
The approximate location, between NW Spreadborough Lane to NW Osterman Road, was also the site of a fatal crash on November 3, 2022.
Purvee was pronounced dead at the scene. OSP troopers responded around 2:10 p.m. Saturday, January 21. The highway was closed for about three hours.
Also on scene were Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, Banks Fire District 13, Metro West Ambulance, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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.
