Columbia County, OR. –- Official Release: On Saturday, April 26, 2025, at about 2:29 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 30 in Columbia County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a gray Volkswagen Jetta, operated by Daren James McLeod (48) of Clatskanie, was traveling eastbound on Hwy. 30 near milepost 62 when it crossed the center line into oncoming traffic. The Volkswagen crashed head-on into a black Ford F-350 pickup, operated by Michael Todd Olson (63) of Hammond, hauling a camping trailer.
The operator of the Volkswagen (McLeod) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Ford (Olson) had minor injuries and was not transported.
The highway was closed for about 4.5 hours for the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia River Fire and Rescue, Columbia County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU)
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.
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