ELKTON, Ore. — Sept. 1, 2026, 2:50 p.m. PT — A head-on collision on Highway 38 near milepost 27 resulted in the deaths of two individuals, according to Oregon State Police.
Gail Elizabeth Smith, 74, of Coburg, was driving a blue Honda Ridgeline pickup eastbound when the vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic for unknown reasons, striking a westbound yellow Douglas County Public Works International dump truck operated by Cody James Miller, 25, of Winchester Bay.
Both Smith and Miller were pronounced dead at the scene. The incident led to traffic delays on Highway 38 for about four hours as investigators processed the scene.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash.
Contact: Haleigh Kochanski, Breaking News and Public Safety Reporter, The Register-Guard, HKochanski@gannett.com