Oregon State Police are continuing investigation into the cause of an

early Sunday morning single-vehicle, single-occupant fatal traffic

crash on Highway 237 about four miles east of Island City.

Trooper Levi Macy said local medical emergency responders were

dispatched to a reported motor vehicle crash on State Highway 237 near

milepost 4 about 5:45 a.m. Upon arrival they found a deceased male in

the overturned car off the highway.

The OSP said preliminary investigation indicates the 1995 Buick four-door operated by Scott Stephen Coulter, 24, of Cove, was eastbound on Highway 237 when Coulter lost control on the right shoulder and began to roll within the travel lane.

The Buick traveled off the highway into a steep ditch and came to an uncontrolled rest facing north on its top.

Coulter was pronounced dead at the scene. He was using safety restraints and the car’s airbags deployed.

The OSP was assisted at the scene by Union County Sheriff’s Office, La Grande Rural Fire Department,

La Grande Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.