Kaylee Rae Volpe Obituary, Death – On Saturday, May 17, a tragic car crash in Klamath County, Oregon, resulted in the death of one teenager and left another injured. The incident occurred along Highway 140 near milepost 1, a location not far from the California-Oregon border, and involved a collision between a disabled vehicle and a moving SUV.
According to a report from the Oregon State Police (OSP), the fatal accident took place when a Dodge Durango traveling eastbound collided with a disabled Honda CR-V that was blocking the eastbound traffic lane. The Honda had apparently suffered a mechanical failure and was stationary on the roadway when the crash occurred.
Inside the disabled Honda were two teenagers: 18-year-old Kaylee Rae Volpe of Klamath Falls and a 17-year-old male whose name has not been released. The male teenager was standing in front of the vehicle, reportedly attempting to identify the cause of the breakdown when the Dodge Durango approached. Tragically, the force of the impact from the Durango struck the Honda and the teenager in front of it. The impact was so severe that the 17-year-old was thrown over a bridge barrier and into the Klamath River below.
Emergency responders were immediately dispatched to the scene. Kaylee Volpe, who was still inside the Honda at the time of the crash, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, despite swift action from multiple first response agencies, the male teen did not survive the incident.
The driver of the Dodge Durango, identified as 40-year-old Forrest Clinton George Fairchild, was not injured in the collision. OSP did not report any signs of impairment or wrongdoing by the driver at the time of their initial release, and there was no immediate indication of any citations being issued. Authorities will likely continue to investigate whether speed, visibility, or any other factors contributed to the fatal impact.
The crash response was a coordinated effort among multiple agencies, including the Oregon State Police, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath County Fire Districts #1 and #4, the Klamath County Dive Rescue Team, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The dive team, in particular, played a crucial role in locating the male victim after he was thrown into the river.
Highway 140 was temporarily shut down or limited to partial traffic during the emergency response and cleanup process. Investigators worked to reconstruct the events that led to the collision, speaking with witnesses, gathering evidence from the vehicles involved, and analyzing the road conditions at the time.
The incident has left the local community in mourning, particularly as it involved young individuals from the area. Kaylee Rae Volpe was known locally and is now recovering from not just her physical injuries but also the emotional trauma of the accident. The identity of the 17-year-old boy has been withheld, likely out of respect for the privacy of his family as they cope with the devastating loss.
This crash adds to the growing concern about the safety of Oregon’s highways, especially in more rural areas where mechanical issues and limited visibility can quickly turn dangerous. Authorities often urge drivers to pull off the roadway completely when faced with mechanical problems and to use hazard lights, flares, or reflective markers to alert oncoming traffic. However, not all highway locations provide enough shoulder space or lighting to safely do so.
As investigations continue, more details may emerge about how long the Honda had been disabled, whether any warning signals were activated, and whether weather or lighting conditions played a role in the crash.
Meanwhile, friends and family of the deceased teenager are left grappling with the loss of a young life full of potential. Community members have begun posting tributes and messages of condolence on social media, expressing shock and sadness over the tragedy. Local schools and counselors are expected to provide support to students and families affected by the crash in the coming days.
Oregon State Police are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has additional information to come forward as they complete their investigation. The goal is to piece together a full picture of what happened and determine if any further safety measures could prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The heartbreaking loss of a teenager on Highway 140 is a sobering reminder of how quickly a routine drive can become a life-altering event. As the community of Klamath Falls reflects on this incident, many are hoping it leads to increased awareness and possibly enhanced safety measures on rural highways.
While Volpe recovers and the community grieves, the incident serves as yet another call for caution, preparedness, and attentiveness when traveling on open roads—especially in remote or low-visibility areas where response times and road conditions can impact the outcome of emergencies.