Linn County crash kills mother and child

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ore. -- The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double-fatal motor vehicle crash that killed a young mother and one of her two children on Tuesday evening.

The two-vehicle crash happened at 6:17 p.m. near 25710 Brush Creek Road, about a mile east of Crawfordsville.

Sheriff Jim Yon said a black 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Ty Kirkland, 23, was heading southbound on Brush Creek Road with passengers Stormy Barge, 24, and her two children, Emma Pulido, 5, and Macy Pulido, 3, all of Sweet Home.

The second vehicle, a green 1999 Jeep Wrangler driven by Brian McIntire, 29, of Sweet Home, was northbound on Brush Creek Road when it left its lane of travel and collided with the Mitsubishi.

Stormy Barge died at the scene of the crash. Emma Pulido was taken by ambulance and Life Flight helicopter to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis but died while en route.

Ty Kirkland and Macy Pulido were taken to Riverbend Hospital in Springfield with minor injuries.

Authorities said alcohol was a factor in the crash. Brian McIntire was arrested and taken to Linn County Jail on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, two counts of first-degree manslaughter and reckless driving. He was arraigned Friday afternoon.

KEZI 9 News talked to Aireale Bruce, who said the crash happened in front of her home.

"I was in the shower at the time, and I didn't know what was going on. But then when I got out, I saw all that," said Bruce. "I assumed it was a car accident because there were lots of cops and fire trucks everywhere."

This was the second fatal crash to take place on Brush Creek Road since early Sunday after Jackie Saari died in an accident that was also suspected to be alcohol-related. Sheriff Yon urged drivers to slow down and drive responsibly.

"We have a lot of county roadways that are kind of out in the middle of nowhere, so we have drivers that tend to get their speeds up. So we are always patrolling those roadways. We also participate in extra DUI patrols," said Lt. Michelle Duncan with the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

The Multi-Agency Investigation Team, Lebanon Police Department, Sweet Home Fire Department, Linn County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Linn County Road Department assisted.