Last Friday, a tragic three-vehicle accident unfolded on Highway 18 in Lincoln County, leading to the closure of the road for over six hours. Oregon State Police responded to the crash near milepost 9 at 5:22 p.m., following a report of a collision involving a westbound Dodge Ram 1500, a Toyota Rav4, and a Chevrolet Suburban.
The initial investigation revealed that the Dodge Ram, driven by 64-year-old Mark Joseph Sutherland of Portland, crossed into the oncoming lane, making contact with the Toyota and then colliding head-on with the Chevrolet. Sutherland succumbed to his injuries at the scene, changing his family's lives forever in that fateful moment.
Tayler Harrell, the 27-year-old operator of the Toyota from Poplarville, MS, sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Brandon Lavon Gilman, 34, of Willamina, who was behind the wheel of the Chevrolet, suffered serious injuries. Rushed by Lifeflight to an emergency medical center, the urgency of his condition was palpable.
The aftermath of the collision saw Highway 18 being closed for an extended period, affecting travelers and the flow of traffic until just after midnight. The crash site was a tableau of flashing lights and urgent activity as multiple agencies, including the Lincoln County Medical Examiner's Office, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln City Police Department, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Pacific West Ambulance, and ODOT, all converged to manage the situation and assist the OSP.
