The fatal collision occurred on Highway 101 near milepost 223, close to Lakeside, at approximately 6:09 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, authorities reported.
Coos County, OR – One person was killed in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 101 in Coos County early Wednesday morning, according to the Oregon State Police.
The fatal collision occurred on Highway 101 near milepost 223, close to Lakeside, at approximately 6:09 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, authorities reported.
Preliminary investigation findings indicate a white Ford F-150 towing a flatbed trailer, driven by 30-year-old Matthew Gonzalez of St. George, Utah, was traveling northbound when it encountered black ice on the roadway. The driver reportedly lost control of the pickup, struck a guardrail, and crossed into the southbound lane, where it collided with a tan Chevrolet Tracker operated by 64-year-old James Bramhall of Lakeside. Shortly after, a blue Dodge 1500 pickup driven by 24-year-old John Burgmeier of Coos Bay rear-ended the flatbed trailer, also reportedly due to icy road conditions.
Bramhall was declared dead at the scene. Gonzalez sustained reported minor injuries, while Burgmeier was not injured in the crash. No arrests were announced in connection with the incident.
Investigators said black ice on the highway is believed to have contributed to the multi-vehicle collision.
Highway 101 was impacted for approximately three and a half hours as troopers conducted an on-scene investigation and cleared the wreckage.
Oregon State Police were assisted at the scene by Lakeside Fire Department, Houser Fire Department, Winchester Bay Fire Department, Lower Umpqua Ambulance, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The Coos County crash remains under investigation.
Coos County Crash Statistics
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation and data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Oregon records hundreds of traffic fatalities annually, with rural highways such as Highway 101 accounting for a significant share of serious and fatal crashes. Statewide traffic data shows that icy and winter road conditions are a recurring contributing factor in fatal collisions during colder months.
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