News Release from Oregon State Police
Posted on FlashAlert: November 5th, 2025 3:21 PM
Sherman County, Ore. (Nov. 5, 2025)- On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 5:35 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97, near milepost 43, in Sherman County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Chevrolet Impala, operated by Eric Neal Barton (66) of Corvallis, crossed into the southbound lane and struck a southbound International Harvester commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Preston Dejion Shepherd (35) of Hanford (CA), near the rear drive tires.
The operator of the Chevrolet (Barton) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the International Harvester (Barton) was reportedly uninjured.
The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.