Astoria, Ore. – A fatal two-vehicle crash early Thursday morning claimed the life of a Eugene man, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP).
At approximately 2:23 a.m. on April 3, OSP officers responded to a head-on collision on Highway 126 near Florence. Preliminary investigations indicated that a white Freightliner semi-truck traveling westbound and a white Ford T-350 van heading eastbound collided for an unknown reason near milepost 6.
The driver of the van, identified as 37-year-old Matthew Jacob Decker of Eugene, was pronounced dead at the scene. Despite efforts to provide assistance, Decker’s injuries proved fatal. The driver of the Freightliner, a 64-year-old man from Veneta, sustained what were reported as minor injuries but did not require medical treatment or transportation to a hospital.
The crash caused significant disruption on the highway, with the roadway remaining closed for approximately five hours while authorities conducted their on-scene investigation.
Assisting OSP at the scene were personnel from the Oregon Department of Transportation, Western Lane Fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), all of whom worked to manage the situation and clear the area.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though no further details have been released as of yet. The OSP has urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward as part of the ongoing inquiry.
The fatal crash marks another tragic event on Oregon’s roadways, and local authorities continue to stress the importance of safe driving and remaining alert while behind the wheel. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
