Fatal Crash on Highway 26 Near Welches Claims One Life

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times

A passenger was killed Wednesday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 26 near Welches, according to the Oregon State Police.

Troopers responded around 3 p.m. April 15 to the crash near milepost 39 in Clackamas County. A white Dodge Ram traveling westbound lost control on a stretch of roadway covered in snow and hail, crossed the highway, went through a ditch and struck a tree head-on, investigators said.

Rear passenger Nina Westbrook, 34, of Gresham, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, Alen Hatunic, 39, of Portland, was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. Another passenger, Eugene Bryce Westbrook, 39, of Portland, was also transported with serious injuries. A 2-year-old girl in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital.

Highway 26 was impacted for about three hours during the investigation.

Authorities said speed and weather and road conditions are believed to have contributed to the crash. Oregon State Police were assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Hoodland Fire District, AMR Ambulance, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.