Illinois Man Killed In Rural Oregon Crash: State Police

BAKER CITY, OR — One man was killed and three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash near Baker City this past Sunday, according to Oregon State Police.

Mitildit Lako, 36, of Elmwood Park, Illinois, was riding in a 2016 Ford van with Stavri Plasari, 53, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, when they were struck from behind by a semi-truck near Interstate-84 milepost 307, about one mile south of Baker City. Police believe Plasari had either slowed or come to a complete stop in the right-hand lane moments before the collision.

Lako, who wasn't wearing a safety belt, was reportedly ejected from the van and killed. Plasari was taken to St. Alphonsus hospital in Baker City with unspecified injuries.

The semi-truck occupants, Twin Falls, Idaho, resident Samuel Goedhart, 30, and a juvenile male passenger, were also taken to St. Alphonsus with minor injuries, police said.

Lako's family, apparently hoping to help his wife and 12-year-old son with expenses related to his death, initiated a GoFundMe campaign Monday with a goal of $30,000. As of Wednesday, nearly 300 people had collectively donated more than $26,000.

Born in Albania in 1982, Lako reportedly came to the U.S. to build a better life for his family.

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Images via Oregon State Police, GoFundMe

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