Joel Applebaum and Joy Backus Killed in Crash on Highway 20 in Linn County

Joel Applebaum, Joy Backus Dies in Linn County Car Accident on Highway 20

Linn County, Oregon (August 24, 2023) – Joel William Applebaum 30, and Joy Lavonne Backus, 70, both from Sweet Home, were killed in a head-on collision that happened in Linn County on Wednesday morning.

The deadly crash happened on Highway 20 near Sodaville-Waterloo Drive at about 8:51 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Applebaum was driving a gray Hyundai eastbound when, for unknown reasons, he drifted into westbound lanes and collided head-on with a yellow Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Backus.

Police say both Applebaum and Backus were pronounced dead at the scene.

The highway was shut down for about three hours following the incident.

The accident remains under investigation.