Fatal Crash on South Oregon Coast; North Coast Sees Tree Fall on Highway

Published 07/14/26 at 8:59 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Coos Bay, Oregon) – Two different ends of the Oregon coast saw varying degrees of highway issues recently. A tragic traffic accident on the south coast Monday involved various agencies while an unusual road block happened on the north Oregon coast Tuesday. (Photo courtesy NBFR)

Oregon State Police (OSP) say a 29-year-old Coos Bay man was seriously injured and a juvenile passenger was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday morning on U.S. 101 south of Coos Bay.

Troopers were called to the scene at 10:07 a.m. near milepost 240, where investigators say a northbound Chevrolet Venture van driven by Taylor Anthony Harris drifted into the median, overcorrected, crossed both northbound lanes and left the roadway. The van went down an embankment, rolled and came to rest on its roof.

“A juvenile passenger in the Chevrolet was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased,” OSP said. “The operator of the Chevrolet (Harris) was transported to an area hospital with reported serious injuries.”

The highway remained open during the response. Before medics arrived, a passerby performed CPR on the child.

“The Oregon State Police acknowledges the actions of the passerby and recognizes that motor vehicle crashes involving children are especially traumatic for all involved,” OSP said.

Map courtesy OSU

Coos Central Fire & Rescue, Greenacres Fire & Rescue, Bay Cities Ambulance and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted at the scene.

On Tuesday morning, Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue (NBFR) were alerted to a new road hazard – one you don't see every day. Crews spent part of Tuesday clearing a large tree that fell across U.S. 101, briefly blocking traffic in both directions.

Oregon Coast Highway 101 / Coast Range Traffic   |    Portland, Oregon Traffic, Road Conditions - Traffic Cams: I-5 - I-205 - I-405 - Hwy 217 - I-84 - Highway 26 Beaverton     |   Willamette Valley / Salem Traffic

A passerby alerted the station earlier in the day, prompting firefighters to respond to the scene, NBFR said. They found a 4- to 5-foot-diameter log stretched across the entire southbound lane and partially obstructing the northbound lane.

Crews remained on site for roughly two hours, directing traffic and assisting the Oregon Department of Transportation until the highway was cleared and reopened.

“As we head further into the summer season, we'd like to remind everyone to stay alert while traveling and give emergency crews plenty of room to work when you see them on the roadway,” NBFR said. “We hope everyone has a safe, fun, and enjoyable summer.”

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