AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 30, 2026
Fatal Accident Shuts Down Highway 26 to Oregon Coast
On Monday, October 26, a fatal accident involving three vehicles occurred on Highway 26 in Clatsop County, leading to significant traffic closure and an extensive emergency response. The Oregon State Police (OSP) have now released the causes and specific details of the incident, which claimed one life and resulted in serious injuries to three other individuals.
Details of the Vehicle Collision
The crash happened near milepost 23.4 at approximately 2:51 p.m. According to the preliminary investigation by OSP, a westbound gray Toyota Highlander operated by Abigail Hernandez Redondo, age 36 from Wilmington, California, lost control while navigating a corner. The vehicle entered the eastbound lane, causing a head-on collision with an eastbound black Mercedes Benz MG3 SUV, which was being driven by Gregory Allen Jones, age 69, of Beaverton.
The impact further involved a gray Volkswagen ID4, also eastbound, operated by Grant Nolen Humphries, age 43, of Portland. The Volkswagen was struck by the Mercedes after the initial collision.
Casualties and Injuries Reported
Redondo, the driver of the Toyota, was pronounced dead on the scene, making this a fatal accident. Passenger Nestor Ivan Abaunzas-Alguera, 37, of Bell Gardens, California, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Gregory Allen Jones, the Mercedes driver, and his passenger, Linda Jones, 65, both sustained serious injuries and also required hospitalization.
The Volkswagen occupants—driver Grant Nolen Humphries, an adult female passenger, and two juvenile passengers—were confirmed by OSP to be unharmed in the incident.
Road Safety and Traffic Closure
As a result of this highway corner crash, Highway 26 experienced a significant traffic closure for approximately four hours while state police, emergency responders, and investigators worked the scene. The shutdown affected both travel to and from the Oregon coast, causing notable delays for motorists and raising concerns for road safety along this busy stretch.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Multiple agencies aided in the emergency response and investigation of the crash, including the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, Seaside Fire Department, Banks Fire Department, Elsie Fire Department, Medix, Life Flight, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The state police investigation continues to review the circumstances leading to the loss of control and the chain-reaction vehicle collision that followed.
Authorities Advise Caution on Coastal Highways
This incident highlights the dangers of negotiating corners on highways like Highway 26, especially en route to the Oregon coast. Law enforcement agencies urge drivers to exercise caution and adhere to posted speed limits to help prevent similar accidents in the future.
Related coverage
Source: beachconnection.net.
