LANE COUNTY, OR - On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 3:15 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a four-vehicle crash on Hwy 126, near milepost 19, in Lane County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Kenworth log truck, operated by Billy Lee Bales Coder (50) of Myrtle Point, was passing through the Knowles Creek Tunnel when a catastrophic engine failure caused an oil spill approximately 200 yards long before the vehicle exited the tunnel and parked along side the roadway.
A westbound Nissan Rogue, operated by Mary Helen Dale (65) of Florence, lost control in the oil slick and crashed into the Kenworth before moving off of the highway.
A westbound Toyota Prius, operated by Radiant Jaime Gaines (48) of Eugene, lost control in the oil slick, crossed into the eastbound lane and struck an eastbound Chevrolet HHR, operated by Christine Dorene Weathers (59) of Florence, head-on.
The operator of the Chevrolet (Weathers) was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Kenworth (Coder) was not injured.
The operator of the Nissan (Dale) was not injured.
The operator of the Toyota (Gaines) suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local medical center.
The highway was impacted for approximately 9.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
OSP was assisted by Western Lane Ambulance and Fire, Mapleton Fire, and ODOT.
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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.
