Erik Ortiz and Cecilia Loma Killed in Malheur County Accident on Highway 20 near milepost 235

Malheur County, Oregon (July 8, 2023) – Five people were killed following a car accident on Thursday morning in Malheur County, according to the Oregon State Police.

The fiery collision happened on Highway 20 near milepost 235 at about 8:30 a.m. on July 6.

Police said Lance Lightfoot, 62, of Idaho, was heading eastbound on Highway 20 in a 2005 Kia Sedona when he drifted into the opposite lane and crashed into an oncoming Nissan sedan driven by 27-year-old Cecilia Loma of Carson, California.

The crash impact caused the two cars to burst into flames.

All the persons riding in the two cars were pronounced dead at the crash site.

Lightfoot was the sole occupant of the Kia at the time. 

Cecilia Loma, 26-year-old  Erik Ortiz from Carson, a 15-year-old boy, and eight-month-old baby girl died due to the collision. All were Nissan occupants.

Authorities blocked Highway 20 for around four hours for an on-scene investigation.

An investigation is ongoing.