BANKS, Ore. (KOIN) — Two people died and 5 were hurt in a multiple-car crash on Highway 26 near Timber Junction in Tillamook County Friday afternoon.
The initial investigation showed a Portland teenager lost control of her Chevy Trailblazer and slid sideways into the oncoming lane, then hit a Toyota Tacoma and broadsided a GMC Acadia.
The two people who died at the scene were Kendra Cornwell, a 19-year-old from Gresham who was a front-seat passenger in the Trailblazer, and Tom Bonneville, 80, who was in the front seat of the Acadia.
The 18-year-old driver of the Trailblazer, Caitlyn Potter of Portland, was rushed to OHSU with critical injuries.
The others who were hurt were all in the Acadia, driven by Andrew Bonneville, 47, of Newberg. His dad was Tom and his mom, 77-year-old Julia Bonneville, were in the car along with his two children, aged 8 and 12. The kids suffered minor injuries.
Tom and Julia Bonneville live in Windom, Minnesota. Julia was airlifted to Legacy Emanuel for treatment of serious injuries.
None of the 3 people in the Toyota was hurt.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, but the Oregon State Police said both speed and seat belt usage may be factors.
When it happened
When initial 911 calls were coming in around 4:45 p.m., officials weren’t sure how many victims there were because cell phone reception is spotty.
“We were told en route there were many patients,” Adams said. “We couldn’t get a confirmed number from the bystanders.”
Oregon State Police said a passerby pulled one person from a car to perform CPR.
The crash happened in a no-passing zone near the Mt. St. Helens viewpoint, east of the rest stop. Adams said 2 cars sustained significant damage and 2 others were less damaged and were able to drive away from the scene.
Officials said it’s a “complex and difficult scene.” Crews from Banks, Tillamook, Forest Grove and Hillsboro fire departments responded.
Highway 26 was closed for 5 hours but reopened late Friday night.
“We see a lot of accidents out there that are caused by people that are just in an hurry,” Adams said. “Or someone is in a hurry and someone else isn’t paying attention and those two don’t meet well together.”
WATCH: Chopper 6 flies over the crash scene: