One person is dead and several others were injured in a four-vehicle crash in Clatsop County Saturday night. Among the four vehicles were a van and a truck carrying Oregon National Guard members.
Oregon State Police said the crash happened just before 9 p.m. on Highway 30, near milepost 85.
According to OSP, 65-year-old Markham Stangland, of Warrenton, crossed his Ford Ranger into the oncoming traffic lane and sideswiped the truck carrying four Guard members. Stangland’s pickup also struck the van that was carrying 11 guard members.
Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, director of public affairs for the Oregon Military Department, confirmed Wednesday the total number of guard members involved in Saturday’s crash was 15. The two vehicles were returning from a training event at Camp Rilea.
According to Bomar, 13 service members were injured and transported to a nearby hospital, including the van’s driver. Three Guard members remained hospitalized as of Wednesday afternoon, he said.
Another vehicle was unable to stop and crashed into the van and Stangland’s truck.
Police said a total of 17 people were involved in Saturday’s crash, which triggered a major response from local first responders.
Stangland was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt.
The crash remains under investigation.
