Wrong-way driver arrested after head-on crash on Interstate 84 near The Dalles

Jul 8

Written By Columbia Community Connection

By Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Ore., July 8, 2026 — A 22-year-old The Dalles man was arrested Monday night after Oregon State Police said he allegedly drove the wrong way on Interstate 84, causing a head-on collision that seriously injured another driver near Exit 83.

According to Oregon State Police, troopers responded at about 10:49 p.m. Monday to a multi-vehicle injury crash blocking the eastbound lanes of I-84 near milepost 83.

Investigators said Tomas M. Blas Morales, 22, of The Dalles, was driving a 2023 Toyota Camry westbound in the eastbound lanes when it collided head-on with a 2011 Nissan Altima driven by Juan Viveros, 46, of Yakima, Washington.

The impact caused one of the vehicles to become airborne before striking the trailer of a 2022 Peterbilt semi-truck, damaging the trailer. The semi was driven by Omar Jabbaar Hakeem, 63, of McMinnville.

Viveros suffered serious injuries and was transported by Life Flight to a Portland-area hospital.

Blas Morales was arrested and lodged on charges including driving under the influence of intoxicants, second-degree assault, reckless driving and reckless endangering.

The crash temporarily closed a portion of Interstate 84 while crews cleared the scene and investigators documented the collision. The Oregon Department of Transportation assisted with the closure. Officers from the The Dalles Police Department assisted with the investigation, while deputies from the Wasco County Sheriff's Office helped fire and emergency medical crews extricate the injured driver.

River's Edge Towing removed the damaged vehicles from the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by Oregon State Police.