The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 29, 2026 — Four crashes along a 13-mile stretch of Interstate 84 between Hood River and Rowena occurred within less than four hours Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 28, as wet and slick road conditions caused vehicles to lose traction, according to Oregon State Police.
The crashes, reported between 1:42 and 5:10 p.m., included a Multnomah County Sheriff's Office corrections transport truck that spun out on an overpass near milepost 71, sending five adults in custody to area hospitals.
According to state police, the transport truck was traveling westbound at approximately 3:13 p.m. when it lost traction on the slick overpass, spun and struck a guardrail.
The truck sustained minor damage but remained drivable. Neither of the two corrections deputies aboard was injured. Five adults in custody were transported to area hospitals for treatment. The extent of their injuries was not reported.
State police noted that the location had been the scene of multiple recent crashes.
The incident prompted a response from several agencies, including the Hood River County Sheriff's Office, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police Department, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Mosier Fire Department, Hood River Fire Department and Oregon Department of Transportation. NORCOR personnel assisted with transportation and security at the hospital.
The first reported crash occurred at 1:42 p.m. near milepost 74, where a white 2016 Subaru hydroplaned after encountering standing water and struck the center barrier. No injuries were reported, and the driver arranged for a tow.
At 3:31 p.m., a gray Ford Escape lost traction near milepost 61 in Hood River and struck a concrete guardrail. The driver told police she had recently rotated her tires, placing the bald tires on the rear of the vehicle. No injuries were reported, and the driver received warnings.
The fourth crash occurred at 5:10 p.m. near milepost 70, where an eastbound Toyota Tacoma lost traction on the slick roadway and struck the median. The driver was able to move the vehicle to the shoulder and arrange for a tow. Police issued a warning for driving too fast for conditions.
All four crashes involved vehicles losing traction on wet or slick pavement, with three occurring between mileposts 70 and 74.
Although the crashes occurred during the same afternoon, state police did not indicate whether any specific roadway defect contributed to the incidents.
The reports highlight the hazards of wet pavement along the Columbia River Gorge, where standing water, reduced tire traction and changing road conditions can increase the risk of crashes.
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