The fatal crash occurred at approximately 1:47 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, on Highway 30 near milepost 34 in Columbia County.
Columbia County, OR – One person was killed following a head-on collision involving an SUV and a commercial truck on Highway 30 near Columbia City, Friday afternoon, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP).
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 1:47 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, on Highway 30 near milepost 34 in Columbia County.
OSP said a gold Nissan Pathfinder driven by 69-year-old Gary Michael George of Rainier was traveling eastbound on Highway 30 when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a loaded white Freightliner commercial motor vehicle operated by 36-year-old Kulwinder Singh of Auburn, Washington. Authorities said the Nissan had reportedly been observed passing traffic in the oncoming lane prior to the collision.
George sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Singh was not injured in the crash and remained at the scene, and cooperated with investigators.
Oregon State Police troopers were assisted at the scene by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia City Police Department, Rainier Police Department, Columbia River Fire and Rescue, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The crash caused major traffic disruptions along Highway 30 for approximately three hours while emergency crews conducted the on-scene investigation and cleared the wreckage.
The incident remains under investigation by the Oregon State Police.