Three Killed in Highway 42 Crash in Myrtle Point
Three people, including a 4-month-old infant, died after two vehicles collided head-on Saturday afternoon on Highway 42 in Myrtle Point, according to Oregon State Police.
MYRTLE POINT, Ore. - Three people, including a 4-month-old infant, died following a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 42 in Myrtle Point, according to Oregon State Police.
The crash was reported at approximately 4:46 p.m. Sept. 19 near milepost 21, within the Myrtle Point city limits.
A preliminary investigation found that a Myrtle Point Police Department officer was attempting to contact 69-year-old Gregory Paul Olson of Myrtle Point. Police said Olson was suspected of attempting to leave a local business several hours earlier without paying for merchandise.
According to OSP, Olson fled from the officer in a silver Land Rover LR3 and traveled east on Highway 42 at a high rate of speed. Investigators said he later lost control, crossed the center line, and collided head-on with a westbound Subaru Forester towing a jet ski.
The Subaru’s driver, 32-year-old James Edward Price of Myrtle Point, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger, 20-year-old Genevieve Marie Huffaker of Coquille, was taken to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A 4-month-old girl was transported to a Portland-area hospital and later died.
Olson suffered serious injuries and was receiving treatment at a local hospital as of Monday afternoon.
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate the crash. OSP did not release additional information about possible charges.
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