Man killed in rear-end crash with farm equipment

TILLAMOOK, Ore. - A Tillamook man died Friday after he drove a car into the back of farm equipment on Highway 6 near Tillamook.

Oregon State Police identified the man as Ramiro Diaz-Mendoza, 28.

According to police, Diaz-Mendoza was driving a 1990 Toyota two-door west on the highway about 6:45 a.m. when it crashed into the back of a 1992 Oregon Road Runner hay squeeze going the same direction. The farm machinery appeared to go straight through the middle of the car. 

Diaz-Mendoza was initially taken to Tillamook County General Hospital before being transferred to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, where he died, police said.

The operator of the farm equipment, Jason M. Sagar, 37, of Tillamook, was not injured.

Sagar estimated he was going 40 mph to 45 mph when Diaz-Mendoza rear-ended the machine.

Authorities said speed and alcohol appeared to contribute to the crash.