On April 5, shortly after 9 a.m., Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers responded to a motorcycle versus commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crash on Highway 78 and Newton Road, 21 miles east of Burns.

A preliminary investigation revealed that both vehicles were traveling eastbound on Highway 78. The motorcycle operator, 42-year-old Gresham resident Joshua Grant, slowed to turn left onto Newton Road. The semi-tractor trailer, operated by 42-year-old Nevada resident Terry Farris, began to pass on the left as the motorcycle turned into the passenger side of the CMV.

Grant was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of the crash. Farris was not injured, and the incident was determined to not be criminal in nature.

OSP was assisted by the Harney County EMS, Harney County Sheriff’s Office, Harney County District Attorney’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.