Klamath County, OR (June 18, 2026) – A 71-year-old woman died following a two-vehicle collision on Tuesday morning on Hwy 39 near the intersection with Hwy 140 in Klamath County.
According to the Oregon State Police, the accident occurred at approximately 11:21 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, near milepost 2. Investigators said a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser, driven by 71-year-old Lenayah Priscilla King of Bonanza, stopped at a stop sign but failed to yield while attempting a left turn onto Hwy 39.
The Chrysler was struck by a southbound white Kia Sedona driven by 38-year-old Fatima Abrica Torres of Merrill. King was pronounced dead at the scene.
Torres and two juvenile passengers in the Kia were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment. Their injuries were reported as minor.
Traffic on the highway was affected for about 30 minutes while crews worked in the area and investigators gathered information. Detectives continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Lenayah Priscilla King.
Why Failure-to-Yield Crashes Usually Occur at Highway Intersections
Failure-to-yield collisions frequently happen at intersections where drivers must judge the speed and distance of approaching traffic before entering or crossing a roadway. Even a small miscalculation can leave insufficient time to complete a turn safely.
Investigators reviewing these crashes frequently consider visibility, traffic volume, roadway design, vehicle positions, and driver actions before contact occurred. Stop signs and other traffic controls are intended to help drivers determine when it is safe to proceed, but factors such as sight obstructions, unfamiliar roads, or misjudged gaps in traffic can contribute to collisions. Vehicle damage, witness statements, and roadway evidence may also help establish how the crash unfolded. Examining these details can provide a clearer understanding of the sequence of events leading up to a serious intersection accident.
