Astoria man killed after pickup wrecks

KNAPPA, Ore. - An Astoria man was killed early Monday when his pickup crashed near Knappa and came to rest on Highway 30, authorities said.

Oregon State Police identified the man killed as 21-year-old Robert James Rankin.

State police said Rankin was driving a 2009 Toyota Tacoma east on Hillcrest Loop shortly after midnight when the vehicle left the road around a curve for an unknown reason. The pickup crashed through a guardrail, launched over a 50-foot embankment, rolled and then came to rest on the driver's side on Highway 30.

Rankin was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said. Authorities were not sure whether he was wearing a seat belt at the time.

The highway was closed for about two hours following the wreck.