Tate, 41, killed in collision
A McMinnville man was killed Wednesday afternoon when his car strayed into the path of a tanker truck on Harrison Ferry Mountain.
The victim, Gary W. Tate, 41, of Morningside Drive was killed when he was partially ejected from his vehicle upon impact with the 1997 Kenworth tractor trailer. The driver of the Central Oil tanker, Grandel Gravitt, 61, of Jasper escaped critical injury.
The accident happened just before 3 p.m. on Highway 8, about six miles south of McMinnville atop Harrison Ferry Mountain. A preliminary investigation of the crash revealed Tate was traveling northbound, toward McMinnville, on Highway 8 in his 1982 Pontiac Grand Am when he lost control and crossed the center line for undetermined reasons.
Tate then entered the path of the tractor trailer. His vehicle was struck on the passenger side by the southbound rig.
He was pronounced dead at River Park Hospital.
The highway was closed to through traffic for about an hour while lawmen investigated the fatal accident.
Adding to the tragedy is the fact Tate’s wife, Tammy, was killed in an automobile accident about 10 years ago.