A Life Flight helicopter lands on Highway 6 on July 26, 2021. Photo: Forest Grove Fire & Rescue
Highway 6 was closed for most of Monday morning following a fatal crash near the Coast Range summit west of Glenwood.
According to Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, the crash occurred near mile marker 33 around 6:50 a.m. Monday.
Two vehicles were involved in the crash, the Oregon State Police said in a press release.
A preliminary investigation by OSP showed that Monico Barajas-Rojas, 70, of The Dalles, was driving east in a green 2007 Honda CRV when he crossed into the westbound lane while on a curve.
There, Barajas-Rojas struck a blue 2018 Dodge pickup. Barajas-Rojas’ passenger, Emilia Barajas, 61, also of The Dalles, was located in the right-front passenger seat and died at the scene after suffering fatal injuries.
The driver of the 2018 Dodge pickup, a Gaston resident, was not injured.
One patient was transported by Life Flight Network, with a helicopter landing on the highway to transport a patient to a trauma hospital with serious injuries.
Highway 6 was closed for about five hours.
Also aiding on scene were Metro West Ambulance, Banks Fire District, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Gales Creek Journal and sister news publications the Banks Post and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
