Shrouded in superstition from as far back as the 12th Century and the Knights
Templar, the dreaded day claimed the life of a Mountain resident and left
debris scattered on Hwy. 26 from a two-car collision.

Fred Akre, 75, manager of The Ark RV Park in Brightwood for 15 years,
succumbed to a massive heart attack on the premises.

While responding to the emergency at The Ark, members of the Hoodland Fire
Department had their attention diverted by a head-on collision that occurred
just yards away.

“We heard the crash and felt the concussion,” Fire Chief Mic Eby said. “I
leaped over a hedge and saw the wreck. Wheels were still spinning and there
was junk all over the road.”

A 1996 Buick sedan was heading eastbound on the highway and attempted a
left turn onto Brightwood Loop Road, according to OSP Senior Trooper Duane
Larson. A westbound 1979 Dodge van got tangled up with the sedan.

“The air bag was deployed (in the Buick) and it probably saved his life,” Eby
said. “The steering wheel was badly bent. There was a puppy, but he was all
right.

“There was a man and a woman in the van and he was bleeding from the
nose. It was probably broken.”

Richard Throckmorton, 20, of east Portland, was driving the sedan and was
cited for a dangerous left turn.

Zachary Davis, 33, also of east Portland, was cited for operating the van
without a valid Oregon driver’s license and driving uninsured.
The injuries were considered minor.

Highway traffic was blocked about one hour with a detour in place, according
to OSP.

Fred Akre’s wife Vera told The Mountain Times she was having a difficult time
getting over the sudden loss of her husband.

“I’m having a pretty tough time,” she said. “I keep getting that shock (of what
happened). It still doesn’t seem real.”

Fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia. It’s a scary word
for what turned out to be tragic day on The Mountain.