Three killed in crash on Highway 97
Jul. 18—Three people were killed Saturday in a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 97 in Klamath County.
At about 4:12 p.m., a Chevy Suburban was traveling south on the highway when the vehicle in front rapidly slowed, according to Oregon State Police. The driver of the Suburban, Andrew Castiricone, 58, from San Carlos, California, swerved into the northbound lanes, striking an FJ Cruiser head-on.
The FJ Cruiser, driven by Ramsey Mohammed Mahmoud Shanbaky, 43, from San Mateo, California, hit the vehicle behind it, a Subaru driven by Kevin Richard Smith, 34, from Medford.
Another vehicle, a Lexus, driven by Robert Brian Anderson, 63, from Chico, California, was struck by crash debris.
Castiricone and one of his passengers in the Suburban, Nicole Lindeman, 20, from San Carlos, California, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Shanbaky, the driver of the FJ Cruiser, also was pronounced dead at the scene.
All other occupants of the Suburban and FJ Cruiser, as well as the driver of the Subaru, were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.
The crash blocked Highway 97 for approximately three hours.
OSP was assisted by Chiloquin Fire and Rescue, Chemult Rural Fire and Oregon Department of Forestry.
