Cove man dies in car crash

La Grande, Ore — Oregon State Police (OSP) La Grande Area Command office is continuing the investigation into the cause of an early Sunday morning single vehicle, single occupant fatal traffic crash on Highway 237 about four miles east of Island City in Union County.

According to OSP Trooper Levi Macy, on August 1, 2010 at approximately 5:46 a.m. local medical emergency responders were dispatched to a reported vehicle crash on Highway 237 near milepost 4. Upon arrival they found a deceased male in an overturned car off the highway.

Preliminary investigation indicates a 1995 Buick four-door operated by Scott Stephen Coulter, age 24, from Cove, was eastbound on Highway 237 when he lost control on the right shoulder and began to roll within the travel lane. The Buick traveled off the highway into a steep ditch and came to an uncontrolled rest facing north on its top.

Coulterwas pronounced deceased at the scene. He was using safety restraints and the car’s airbags deployed.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Union County Sheriff’s Office, La Grande Rural Fire Department, La Grande Fire Department, and ODOT.