An early-morning collision between a semitruck and a sedan near Troutdale Airport left one person dead and another critically injured, authorities said. The crash happened around 3:45 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of NW Marine Drive and NW Sundial Road. Emergency crews arrived to find the smaller vehicle on fire, and a stretch of Marine Drive remains closed while investigators comb through the scene.
Crash details
According to FOX 12 Now, the impact sparked a blaze that engulfed the sedan and caused a large fuel-and-fluid spill across the roadway. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and another was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, officials said.
Investigation and traffic impacts
The East County Major Crash Team was activated to lead the investigation, FOX 12 Now reported. Roads in the area are expected to stay shut down for several hours, and authorities are urging commuters to steer clear of Marine Drive while emergency and cleanup crews work.
Why this stretch is risky
Local planning documents have long flagged the Marine Drive–Sundial corridor as a high-stress stretch for drivers and for people walking or biking. A Multnomah County fact sheet for the 40-Mile Loop project notes previous severe-injury crashes on Sundial Road and a 2016 crash along Marine Drive, where higher speeds and the lack of separated bike lanes have contributed to dangerous conditions, according to Multnomah County.
What’s next
The East County Major Crash Team will remain on scene as the investigation continues, and officials have not yet released the names of the victims, per KATU. Authorities said more information will be released once investigators finish examining the vehicles and roadway, and they are asking drivers to keep avoiding the area until the closure lifts.
