Young mother dead, children ages 1 and 4 injured after vehicle went down embankment

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A single-vehicle crash in Clackamas County early Wednesday morning resulted in the death of a 24-year-old mother, and injuries to her children, ages 1 and 4, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office said.

The crash took place just after 1 a.m. near the intersection of SE 97th Avenue and SE Park Mountain Lane.

After crashing and going down an embankment, the car came to a rest upside down in a wooded area, officials said. Witnesses told authorities they heard children inside the car.

“When deputies arrived at the crash scene, a witness had retrieved one child, age 4, from the 2021 Jeep Compass, and told first responders that another child was still inside,” CCSO said.

Deputies were able to go down the embankment to also rescue the 1-year-old from the vehicle. Both children were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The children’s mom, who was driving the car was found dead at the scene. She was identified as 24-year-old Mattie Kelley from Happy Valley.

“At this time, investigators believe impairment may have been a factor in this crash,” CCSO said.