Numerous Traffic Accidents Near or on Oregon Coast in February, Some Fatal

Published 03/02/26 at 5:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Bandon, Oregon) – A variety of traffic incidents near the Oregon Coast Range or on the coast happened throughout February, with more than one fatality involved. These kept agencies from Lincoln City, Bandon, Coos County, Oregon State Police, ODOT and others busy during what is usually a fairly calm period. Some also had a criminal aspect to them.

Bandon police were investigating a crash at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort after officers were alerted by an automatic crash notification on February 28, 2026. Responding officers found a heavily damaged, unoccupied silver SUV on resort property.

“As the investigation continued, it was determined that this vehicle had almost had a head-on collision with a occupied Bandon Dunes Security vehicle that was on the roadway, before crashing and damaging resort property,” department said. “The occupants were transported from the scene prior to law enforcement arrival.”

A follow-up investigation, assisted by Coos County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Adam Slater, led to a search warrant and the identification of the driver. Adam Reed, 50, of Portland, later admitted involvement and was arrested on charges of Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver, Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangering.

Police say additional charges are being referred, including potential charges for individuals who removed Reed from the scene and attempted to interfere with the investigation. The department publicly thanked Sgt. Slater for his assistance, citing the importance of interagency cooperation.

Near Coast Range

A separate fatal crash in Polk County – near the Oregon Coast Range - happened late February, and it remains under investigation. Oregon State Police responded the previous morning, February 23, at 9:51 a.m., to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 51.

Investigators determined that a westbound Salem-Keizer Thomas school bus, driven by Chandra Jean Milkovich-Howard, 33, of Turner, attempted a left turn onto southbound Highway 51 and entered the path of an eastbound Honda Pilot driven by Luke Richard Brittan, 68, of Independence. The vehicles collided head-on.

Brittan died at the scene. Milkovich-Howard sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital. The school bus was carrying two adults and 30 students; one student suffered a minor injury and was also transported for evaluation.

Highway 22 was partially closed for about four hours during the investigation. An unsafe left turn has been identified as the primary cause of the crash, and the bus driver was cited. The case will be forwarded to the district attorney for review once the investigation is complete.

Also see 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

Lincoln City Fatality, Attempt to Hide Vehicle

Lincoln City police were for awhile investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on February 20, 2026, near NW 15th Street on Highway 101. Officers arrived to find 80-year-old Joseph Koffend of Lincoln City critically injured in the roadway. He received medical care from police, North Lincoln Fire Rescue, and Pacific West Ambulance before being taken to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Witness statements and nearby video footage helped officers identify the driver as 45-year-old Juan Antonio Suarez Jimenez of Lincoln City. Police say attempts were made to hide the suspect vehicle, which was later found outside city limits and seized under a search warrant.

South Coast Deadly Crash

On the south Oregon coast, another deadly crash occurred last month during a period of inclement weather conditions.

A three-vehicle crash on an icy stretch of Highway 101 near Lakeside left one person dead early Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Oregon State Police say the collision occurred around 6:09 a.m. near milepost 223 in Coos County after a northbound Ford F-150 towing a flatbed trailer hit black ice, struck a guardrail, and crossed into oncoming traffic. The pickup, driven by Matthew Rafael Gonzalez, 30, of St. George, Utah, collided with a southbound Chevy Tracker operated by James Ervin Bramhall, 64, of Lakeside. A Dodge 1500 driven by John Paul Burgmeier, 24, of Coos Bay, then crashed into the flatbed, also losing control on the ice.

Bramhall died at the scene. Gonzalez reported minor injuries, and Burgmeier was unhurt. The highway was closed for about three and a half hours during the investigation. Multiple agencies assisted, including fire departments from Lakeside, Hauser, and Winchester Bay, along with Lower Umpqua Ambulance and ODOT.

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