MALHEUR COUNTY, Ore. — A fatal crash occurred on Highway 26 near milepost 244, just west of the Idaho border, on Monday afternoon.
According to authorities, the collision involved a Hyundai Santa Fe and a Ford Expedition. The Hyundai was making a U-turn when it was struck by the oncoming Ford.
The driver of the Hyundai, identified as 41-year-old Autumn Jean Hansen of Vale, Oregon, died at the scene; she was not wearing a seat belt. Three children traveling with Hansen sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to a nearby hospital.
The driver of the Ford, a resident of John Day, Oregon, was also hospitalized.
Emergency responders closed Highway 26 for approximately four hours while they conducted an investigation and cleared the scene. Further details regarding the incident are pending.