A 34-year-old Gresham woman was killed and a 2-year-old girl suffered minor injuries Wednesday afternoon after a pickup slid off U.S. Highway 26 and slammed into a tree near Welches, as snow and hail covered the roadway.
Troopers and emergency crews were called out around 3 p.m. The Oregon State Police said a white Dodge Ram driven westbound by 39-year-old Alen Hatunic of Portland lost control near milepost 39, crossed the roadway, went through a ditch and crashed head-on into a tree. Rear passenger Nina Westbrook, 34, of Gresham, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver and another passenger, 39-year-old Eugene Bryce Westbrook of Portland, were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries. A 2-year-old female passenger was transported with minor injuries, according to Oregon State Police.
Investigators Cite Weather And Speed
"Weather/roadway conditions and speed are believed to be contributing factors in the crash," the Oregon State Police said.
The collision shut down Highway 26 for about three hours while crews worked the scene. OSP said it was assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Hoodland Fire District, AMR Ambulance and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Troubled Stretch Of Highway 26 Has Seen Recent Tragedy
The Mount Hood corridor of U.S. 26 has already seen a run of serious crashes this season. In mid March, a two-vehicle wreck near milepost 31 left one person dead and three others seriously hurt, local reporting shows. That earlier crash and the recurring hazards on the corridor, where conditions can flip fast when storms move through, were detailed in a deadly March wreck near Sandy.
Tips For Safer Trips On The Mount Hood Corridor
The Oregon Department of Transportation urges drivers headed up the mountain to check TripCheck and 511 for up-to-the-minute conditions, carry chains or traction tires where required and slow down in snow or hail.
ODOT also recommends packing emergency supplies, keeping your gas tank full and avoiding travel during active winter storms when possible, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
OSP continues to investigate the crash, and authorities have not released any additional details about possible charges. This story will be updated as police and local agencies release more information.
