(CLATSOP COUNTY, OR; 14 September 2026) – On Saturday, September 12, 2026, at approximately 9:09 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 101 near milepost 26 in Clatsop County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a light blue Ford Explorer, operated by Ronald Gregory Smith (76) of Tillamook, was traveling northbound on Highway 101 when it used the right shoulder to pass a northbound black Toyota Highlander, operated by Ronald Francis Smith (84) of Seaside. The Ford Explorer sideswiped the Toyota Highlander before reentering the northbound lane. The Ford Explorer then crossed the southbound lane and traveled onto the shoulder, where it struck an embankment and several trees.
The operator of the Ford (Ronald Gregory Smith) was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Highlander (Ronald Francis Smith) was not injured.
A passenger in the Ford, Marie Schmitt (56) of Tillamook, sustained serious injuries and was flown to a Portland-area hospital.
Based on the investigation and witness statements, the operator of the Ford (Ronald Gregory Smith) may have suffered a medical emergency immediately before the crash.
The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Cannon Beach Fire Department, Medix Ambulance Services, Cannon Beach Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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 documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using 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.
