10/21/2026
Date: October 21, 2026
From: Lieutenant Mitch Madden
Event: Fatal vehicle/pedestrian collision CCSO case number 26-0779
Location: NE McKay Creek Road, north of NW Gerke Road
Media Release
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at approximately 5:06 AM, Crook County 911 received a call from a motorist reporting that a male subject was lying in a field and that the caller did not believe the subject was breathing. Officers from the Prineville Police Department and Deputies from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office responded.
The investigation revealed that a male subject, later identified as 44-year-old Thomas Sampson of Madras, Oregon, was walking south on McKay Creek Road. It appeared that Mr. Sampson may have been collecting cans on the side of the road when a motorist traveling north on McKay Creek Road struck the male. The motorist was traveling to a logging job site at about 50-55 miles per hour when the collision occurred. Mr. Sampson was wearing a dark camouflage sweatshirt, a camouflage hat, camouflage gloves, and blue jeans. The motorist stopped his vehicle at the scene and immediately notified 9-1-1.
The driver of the vehicle was not injured and cooperated with law enforcement, and no intoxication was discovered. Mr. Sampson’s next of kin has been notified. The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Prineville Police Department, Crook County 9-1-1, Oregon State Police, Crook County Road Department, Prineville Funeral Home, and Crook County Fire and Rescue for their assistance.
