Three Dead, Including Infant, After Head-On Crash Near Myrtle Point

MYRTLE POINT, Ore. — Three people, including a 4-month-old infant, were killed Saturday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 42 near Myrtle Point, according to Oregon State Police.

The crash happened at about 4:46 p.m. Sept. 19 near milepost 21, within Myrtle Point city limits.

According to the preliminary investigation, a Myrtle Point Police Department officer was attempting to contact 69-year-old Gregory Paul Olson of Myrtle Point after he allegedly left a local business several hours earlier without paying for merchandise.

Police said Olson fled from the officer in a silver Land Rover LR3 and traveled eastbound on Highway 42 at a high rate of speed.

Olson later lost control of the Land Rover, crossed the center line and collided head-on with a westbound blue Subaru Forester driven by 32-year-old James Edward Price of Myrtle Point. The Subaru was towing a jet ski at the time of the crash.

Price was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger in the Subaru, 20-year-old Genevieve Marie Huffaker of Coquille, was transported to an area hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

A 4-month-old girl was also transported to a Portland-area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Olson suffered serious injuries and was being treated at a local hospital.

The Oregon State Police investigation remains ongoing.