Fatal crash prompts new search for safety

Fatal crash prompts new search for safety

A double tanker truck heads down Northwest Cornelius Pass Road at night. Trucks carrying hazardous materials often take the twisty two-lane road in order to avoid the Vista Ridge tunnels.

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Story Published: Jan 2, 2008 at 10:16 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 2, 2008 at 10:19 PM PDT

By KATU Web Staff

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PORTLAND, Ore. - Following a fatal crash Monday that took the life of a teen driver, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is looking to make changes to improve safety along Northwest Cornelius Pass Road.

The road connects Highway 26 and Highway 30 and is used by many truckers hauling hazardous materials as a route into Portland since by law they cannot use the Vista Ridge tunnels on Highway 26.

On Monday, deputies say Taija Belwood, 17, lost control of her car while on Cornelius Pass Road and ended up going down a 60-foot embankment. Her car was later found partially submerged.

Deputies said the road was icy and speed may have been a factor in causing the crash.

Deputies say increased traffic is partly to blame for the increase in accidents and crashes on the notoriously twisting two-lane road.

Traffic levels are up 100 percent from just 7 years ago, with 11,000 vehicles a day making the trip.

The road features several tight turns and a challenging double-hairpin turn on a grade that has been the site of many accidents involving truck rollovers.

"It's too narrow, too windy, poorly lit, poorly signed," Multnomah County Sheriff's Deputy Paul McRedmond told KATU News.

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