Huntington man killed after rollover crash on Snake River Road

A 39-year-old Huntington man died after his pickup rolled multiple times on Snake River Road on the evening of Jan. 14, county deputies said, a reminder of the risks posed by rural curves and high-speed crashes in Baker County.

Baker County Sheriff's Office records show officers received a report of the wreck at approximately 8:42 p.m. on Jan. 14 after a passing driver discovered the scene and rendered aid. Deputies later identified the victim as Daniel James Racette of Huntington. The bystander informed dispatchers that the victim was dead before emergency crews arrived.

Investigators determined Racette had left his home in the early evening hours on Jan. 13 and had not returned, prompting the timeline that led to discovery the following night. The vehicle involved was a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500; authorities say it left the roadway and "failed to negotiate a curve." The truck rolled multiple times before coming to a stop. Racette was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. "Speed is believed to be a contributing factor to the crash," the Sheriff's Office said.

The Huntington Fire Department assisted the Baker County Sheriff's Office at the scene. Deputies and responding personnel handled on-site activities and the initial investigative work. No further details on toxicology, charges, or additional occupants were released.

For Baker County residents, the sequence of events underscores two consistent safety takeaways for rural driving: curves on lightly traveled roads can be hazardous at night, and not wearing a seatbelt dramatically increases the risk of ejection and fatal injury when a vehicle overturns. The fact that a passing motorist found the crash and attempted aid highlights both the close-knit nature of Huntington and the delays that can occur before professional responders reach remote stretches of roadway.

Local officials have not announced policy changes tied to this crash, but the incident aligns with broader patterns seen on rural two-lane roads where speed, roadway geometry, and limited visibility compound risk. Maintaining safe speeds through curves, ensuring seatbelts are used, and keeping vehicles well-maintained remain the immediate measures residents can take.

The Sheriff's Office completed on-scene work with assistance from the Huntington Fire Department and provided the initial findings to the public. For families and neighbors of Daniel Racette, this crash is a sudden loss; for the wider community, it is a prompt to check driving habits and remind friends and relatives about basic road safety as winter conditions and nighttime travel continue through the season.