A Pendleton-area taxi driver died Saturday night when the cab he was driving struck a cow on Highway 395 about two miles south of Pendleton.

The taxi’s two passengers were not injured. Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers from the Pendleton Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

According to Sergeant Sterling Hall, at approximately 10:53 p.m. Saturday night, an Elite Taxi Transport Services taxi cab driven by Steven D. Christiansen, 59, of Pendleton, was transporting two female passengers southbound on Highway 395 near milepost 4 to a residence when it struck a black cow on the roadway. The cow rolled over the top driver side of the vehicle.

Christiansen died from injuries sustained in the crash. He was using safety restraints.

The two passengers were not injured. They are identified as right-front passenger Brianna M. Gillette, 27, of north Portland, and right-rear passenger Shenia N. Winterton, 16, from Pendleton. Both were using safety restraints.

The highway was restricted to one lane for over two hours during the investigation. Trooper Ryan Sharp is the lead investigator.

Information regarding the cow’s owner and how it accessed the road was not available.

OSP troopers were assisted by Pendleton Police Department, Pendleton Ambulance, and ODOT.