EDITOR’S NOTE: It’s that time of year again … too many people on our roads, unfamiliar with the roads, and people in a hurry. This is heartbreaking – two young girls lost their lives yesterday. Please, please – be careful out there. Today on my way home from Tillamook, I encountered a “near miss”. I heard the horns blaring and saw the southbound vehicle run off the road by the dark grey Toyota Tacoma PASSING, I’m not sure how many vehicles and that was now behind me. They stayed a distance behind me, so I wasn’t quite able to make out the license plate; it was an Oregon plate. Then when we get to the intersection of Hwy. 53 as vehicles turn left (I’m going to the right) – the Toyota goes into the gravel to cut me off!! I pull out and see two late 20’s males and I proceed north on Hwy. 53. Now, they race up on me (mind you I’m going a decent speed, let’s just say over 60) – and they pass me going over 80mph!! Then turn on to McDonald Road. I reported them to the non-emergency line (503-815-1911 – save this number in your phone.) Report people that are driving like this and endangering others! And be careful out there!
(Clatsop County, Ore. 27 June 2025)- On Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 1:21 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash on Highway 101, near milepost 27, in Clatsop County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Toyota Tacoma, operated by Ian Granville Hix (30) of Seaside, crossed into the northbound lane for unknown reasons and struck a northbound Honda CRV, operated by Phyllis J. Harding (76) of San Francisco (CA), head-on. The Honda was pushed to the northbound shoulder while the Toyota continued in the northbound lane and struck a northbound Nissan Rogue, operated by Charles Paul LeBlanc (57) of Albuquerque (NM), head-on.
The operator of the Toyota (HIX) suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
The operator of the Honda (Harding) suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
The operator of the Nissan (Charles P. LeBlanc) and passenger, Jennifer Lyria LeBlanc (52) of Albuquerque (NM), suffered serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.
Two additional passengers of the Nissan, a female juvenile (15) and a female juvenile (12), were declared deceased as a result of injuries sustained during the crash.
The highway was impacted for approximately seven hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Cannon Beach Police Department, Gearhart Police Department, Cannon Beach Fire, Seaside Fire, and ODOT.
About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU)
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.