Prineville man killed on Highway 26

Clackamas County, Ore., Jan. 9, 2026 — A Prineville man was killed Thursday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 26 near milepost 35, according to the Oregon State Police.

Troopers said a westbound Ford Escape driven by Jacob Robert Brugman, 29, of Vancouver, Washington, was passing a Ford F-250 driven by Gary James Beebe, 55, of Prineville, in a passing lane when the F-250 reportedly merged into the Escape as it was overtaking. The contact allegedly caused the F-250 to lose control, break through a guardrail and roll down an embankment into trees. The Escape was able to stop after the collision.

Beebe was declared deceased at the scene. Brugman and a passenger, Kassidy Brugman, 27, were reportedly not injured.

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. Oregon State Police were assisted by the Hoodland Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.