A fatal collision has been reported on Highway 101 near milepost 255 in Coos County, resulting in one death and another seriously injured on Tuesday, according to authorities. The crash involved a head-on impact between two vehicles, a northbound GMC Sierra and a southbound Ford F-250 pulling a trailer, as stated in the initial report provided by the Oregon State Police (OSP).
The driver of the GMC, identified as Nickolos Hastings Barker, a 40-year-old from Bandon, apparently crossed into the opposing lane for undetermined reasons and collided with the Ford truck driven by Michael Guarino, a 49-year-old also from Bandon. Guarino was ejected from his vehicle upon impact and was pronounced dead at the scene; while the cause of the accident is still under investigation and no more details have been released by the officials regarding what may have led up to the crash and Barker was transported to an area hospital with severe injuries.
The highway was closed for about four hours as the OSP alongside the Bandon Police Department, Bandon Fire Department, Coquille Police Department, Coos County Sheriff's Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) worked the scene, the incident caused significant delays as the thorough on-site investigation unfolded and efforts were made to clear the wreckage and ensure safe passage for other travelers.
