David Wayne Slone, 27, of Chiloquin, Oregon, was killed in a head-on collision involving a semi-truck on Highway 97 in Klamath County.
According to Oregon State Police, the fatal crash happened Sunday night, September 20, 2026, near milepost 255 on Highway 97.
The collision claimed Slone’s life and left another person with minor injuries, while the semi-truck driver was not injured.
David Wayne Slone Killed in Highway 97 Crash
Oregon State Police said troopers responded to the two-vehicle crash at approximately 9:12 p.m. Sunday.
Investigators determined that Slone was driving a blue Lincoln Navigator southbound on Highway 97 when he attempted to pass another southbound vehicle.
During the maneuver, the Lincoln collided head-on with a northbound Freightliner semi-truck towing a 53-foot trailer.
The semi-truck was driven by 33-year-old Narinder Addr Singh of Yuba City, California, according to state police.
Slone was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crash Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | David Wayne Slone |
| Age | 27 |
| Hometown | Chiloquin, Oregon |
| Crash location | Highway 97, Klamath County |
| Location marker | Near milepost 255 |
| Date | September 20, 2026 |
| Time reported | About 9:12 p.m. |
| Vehicle | Blue Lincoln Navigator |
| Other vehicle | Freightliner semi-truck with 53-foot trailer |
| Semi-truck driver | Narinder Addr Singh, 33 |
| Fatality | David Wayne Slone |
| Other injury | Passenger in Lincoln suffered minor injuries |
| Investigation | Oregon State Police |
Passenger Injured in Collision
A passenger traveling in Slone’s Lincoln Navigator suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Singh, the driver of the Freightliner, was not injured in the collision.
Emergency responders from Chiloquin Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene, along with the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Speed and Impairment Considered Contributing Factors
Oregon State Police said Slone was not believed to have been wearing a seat belt when the collision occurred.
Investigators also identified speed and impairment as believed contributing factors in the crash.
Those factors remain part of the information released by authorities concerning the collision and should be distinguished from any broader assumptions about what happened.
The fatal crash remains a serious reminder of the risks associated with passing on highways, particularly when traffic is approaching from the opposite direction.
Highway 97 Closed During Investigation
The crash significantly affected traffic along Highway 97 while investigators worked at the scene.
According to Oregon State Police, the highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation.
The extended response allowed authorities and emergency crews to document the collision and complete the work required following the fatal crash.
Remembering David Wayne Slone
David Wayne Slone’s death has left the Chiloquin community mourning the loss of a 27-year-old resident whose life ended suddenly in the highway collision.
At just 27, Slone’s death represents a profound loss for the people who knew him and for those who shared connections with him in the community.
His loved ones are now left to remember his life while dealing with the circumstances of his unexpected passing.
Funeral Arrangements and Family Details
The available information concerning the crash does not provide details about Slone’s immediate family, funeral arrangements, visitation or memorial services.
Those details may become available through his family or an official obituary.
Until then, information about his personal life and arrangements should not be assumed from unrelated records involving people with similar names.
David Wayne Slone Obituary and Cause of Death
The immediate cause of death was the injuries Slone sustained in the September 20 collision, according to the reported fatal crash.
The investigation information released by Oregon State Police states that the crash involved a head-on collision between Slone’s Lincoln Navigator and a Freightliner semi-truck.
Authorities have identified speed and impairment as believed contributing factors, while the investigation provides the broader circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
David Wayne Slone, 27, will be remembered in connection with the Chiloquin community and the life he lived before the fatal Highway 97 crash.
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on information released concerning the September 20, 2026, fatal Highway 97 collision in Klamath County. Oregon State Police identified the deceased driver as 27-year-old David Wayne Slone of Chiloquin. Details about his family, occupation, funeral arrangements and broader biography were not included in the available crash report. Information concerning speed and impairment reflects the contributing factors identified by Oregon State Police and should not be expanded beyond the official findings.