Portland woman killed, passenger seriously injured in Highway 97 crash near Cow Canyon
Wasco County, Ore., Oct. 16, 2026 — A 75-year-old Portland woman was killed and an 80-year-old passenger was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 14, when their vehicle collided with a commercial semi-truck on Highway 97 near the Cow Canyon Rest Area in Wasco County.
According to Oregon State Police, troopers responded to the two-vehicle crash at approximately 1:18 p.m. near milepost 69.
A preliminary investigation indicated that a blue Volvo semi-truck pulling a 53-foot box trailer, driven by Muhammad Shafiq, 32, of Yuba City, California, was traveling southbound when a silver Toyota Venza, driven by Mary Elizabeth Auch Hankins, 75, of Portland, pulled in front of the truck while attempting to make a left turn.
The semi-truck struck the Toyota, pushing it over an embankment. Both vehicles came to rest off the east shoulder of the highway.
Auch Hankins was pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger in the Toyota, Richard Thomas Hankins, 80, of Portland, suffered serious injuries and was transported by Life Flight to an area hospital. His current condition was not provided.
Shafiq was reportedly uninjured. Police said he remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
The crash investigation did not affect highway traffic, according to OSP.
The Wasco County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson County Fire and EMS, and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted at the scene.
Oregon State Police released details of the crash Friday, Oct. 16.
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