2 dead, 14 hurt after van carrying members of Colorado church group crashes in eastern Oregon

2 dead, 14 hurt in eastern Oregon van rollover

PORTLAND, Ore. — Two people were in critical condition Friday after two others were killed when a van carrying 16 Colorado church group members rolled several times on an icy Oregon freeway.

Joshua John Pischura, 20, of Geneva, Ohio, died shortly after the crash Thursday morning on Interstate 84 near Baker City, about 130 miles northwest of Boise, Idaho.

Taune Nicole Winter Pepper, 23, of Deer Trail, Colo., died Thursday afternoon after being flown to a Boise hospital, authorities said.

Two of the passengers were listed in critical condition Friday at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise: Aaron Stearling Werntz, 19, of Freeport, Ill., and Phillip Joel Harris, 24, from Attalla, Ala.

The 16 members of the New Life Worship Center in Federal Heights, Colo., were traveling to Portland to attend a conference when their van veered out of control and rolled several times around 5:20 a.m. Thursday.

The nine women and seven men were members of the Rocky Mountain Masters Commission, a training program affiliated with the center.

The church held a candlelight vigil Thursday night and set up a fund at a local bank to help the families.

New Life Worship Center spokeswoman Sarah Marsh said Friday that church officials declined to comment.

Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police said it may be several weeks before investigators complete their report on the crash.

Troopers said they believe at least 13 of those aboard the van were ejected.

The van appeared to be at full capacity with 15 passengers and a driver but the investigation must be completed to determine how many aboard were wearing seat belts, Hastings said.

The driver, Nicole Elaine Byrd, 25, whose hometown was unavailable, was wearing a seat belt and suffered non-life-threatening injuries, troopers said.

Three passengers were listed in serious condition at Saint Alphonsus: Christine Sandra Aki, 18, of Golden, Colo.; Katherine Elizabeth Darlene Pischura, 18, from Geneva, Ohio; and William Chris Rodgers, 22, of Lakewood, Colo.

Two passengers taken to Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande, Ore., with non-life-threatening injuries were identified as Lavan Ahmad Sayed, 24, of Louisville, Colo., and Ashley Wenk, 18, whose hometown was not available.

Six passengers were treated and released at St. Elizabeth Health Services hospital in Baker City: Sarah Beth Devires, 18, of Golden, Colo.; Marketa Larie Smith, 26, hometown not available; Brett James Iserman, 20, of Dakota, Ill.; Katherine Elizabeth Coppock, 19, of Cave Creek, Ariz.; Christian Wence, 19, of Ault, Colo.; and Javaar Zakori Howard, 18, of Denver.

Seven of the passengers stayed at the home of the Rev. John Privett of the Baker City Church of the Nazarene. He said the survivors were “pretty shook up” and were grieving over the accident.