OSP busy with seven vehicle and motorcycle crashes across Gorge region over weekend; Travel Season underway
The Dalles, Ore., May 18, 2026 — Oregon State Police troopers responded to at least seven vehicle and motorcycle crashes between Friday, May 15, and early Sunday, May 17, across Wasco, Sherman, Wheeler and Hood River counties, according to the agency’s daily desk log. The incidents included two injury crashes, multiple rollovers and several interstate collisions along Interstate 84 and U.S. Highway 97.
The crashes highlight the steady flow of emergency responses troopers handle each weekend across the Columbia River Gorge and surrounding rural highways, where winding roads, heavy freight traffic and high travel speeds can quickly turn small mistakes into serious crashes.
With Memorial Day weekend approaching and summer travel beginning to ramp up across the Gorge and Central Oregon highways, troopers are reminding drivers to slow down, stay alert and give themselves extra time to reach their destinations. OSP logs from the weekend showed several crashes tied to lane departures, overcorrections and drivers losing control while traveling at highway speeds.
Safety experts encourage motorists to constantly look for potential escape routes while driving, maintain safe following distances, use patience before attempting passes on two-lane highways and avoid driving fatigued. Even a brief lapse in attention or drowsiness behind the wheel can quickly become dangerous on busy summer roads filled with vacation travelers, motorcycles, commercial trucks and unfamiliar drivers.
May 15 — Motorcycle crash injures two riders near Antone Lane
At 2:16 p.m. Friday, troopers responded to a motorcycle injury crash near milepost 81 on U.S. Highway 26 in Wheeler County near Antone Lane.
According to OSP, three motorcycles were traveling eastbound when the lead rider entered a gravel shoulder while negotiating a curve. Dirt and rocks reportedly flew into the air before the motorcycle laid down and slid across both lanes of traffic. A second rider then lost visibility in the dust, left the roadway, struck an ODOT caution sign and went airborne down an embankment.
Both injured riders were transported by Mitchell Fire and Ambulance to St. Charles Hospital in Madras with significant injuries. One motorcycle was towed from the scene while another remained near a creek for later recovery. Troopers said the lead rider estimated he was traveling about 60 mph entering the corner.
May 15 — Tacoma rollover crash injures two on I-84 near The Dalles
At 7:09 p.m. Friday, troopers responded to a rollover crash involving a gray 2023 Toyota Tacoma near milepost 70 eastbound on Interstate 84 in Wasco County.
OSP said the Tacoma drifted out of its lane for unknown reasons, struck a guardrail and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on the concrete median blocking the left eastbound lanes.
Both occupants suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance. The driver was cited for failure to drive within a lane.
May 15 — Secondary crash occurs while drivers avoid rollover scene
About 10 minutes later, at 7:19 p.m., troopers responding to the original rollover learned a second crash had occurred at the same location near milepost 70 eastbound on I-84.
OSP said a brown Freightliner UPS truck swerved to avoid the earlier rollover scene and collided with a white Honda Civic. The Honda sustained minor damage and no injuries were reported. Both vehicles were able to leave the scene under their own power.
May 16 — Driver crashes into tree after swerving for deer in Wheeler County
At 1:56 a.m. Saturday, a 21-year-old Yacolt, Washington man crashed near milepost 99 on Highway 19 in Wheeler County after swerving to avoid a deer.
OSP reported the vehicle entered a ditch and struck a tree, causing the airbags to deploy. The driver was not injured and arranged for the vehicle to be towed from the scene.
May 17 — Saturn crashes into semi-trailer on I-84 in Sherman County
At 2:45 a.m. Sunday, troopers responded to a non-injury crash near milepost 100 westbound on Interstate 84 in Sherman County.
According to OSP, a black Saturn attempted to pass a Walmart commercial motor vehicle but failed to fully merge into the left lane before crashing into the rear of the trailer. The Saturn was towed from the scene.
The driver was cited for speeding and careless driving and warned for not wearing a seatbelt.
May 17 — BMW crashes into median while exiting I-84 in The Dalles
At 9:38 a.m. Sunday, troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash near milepost 83 eastbound on Interstate 84 in The Dalles.
OSP said the driver of a 2000 BMW Z3 attempted to exit the interstate but continued into the median, damaging ODOT property. The vehicle was towed from the scene.
The 18-year-old driver received citations for careless driving and improper brakes and was warned for failing to maintain a lane.
May 17 — Ford van rolls several times on U.S. 97 near milepost 63
At 2:52 p.m. Sunday, troopers responded to a rollover crash on northbound U.S. Highway 97 near milepost 63 in Wasco County.
Investigators said a white Ford van left the roadway, traveled along the shoulder for about 200 feet and then overcorrected across both lanes before rolling several times off the opposite shoulder.
Troopers said the driver was not at the scene when they arrived. A nearby landowner responded to repair fencing damaged in the crash. The van was recovered by Barnett’s Towing.
