Vancouver man killed in Hwy. 26 crash near Warm Springs

A 42-year-old Vancouver, Wash., man was killed Friday night and three other people were injured, one seriously, when a Gresham man’s pickup slid into the oncoming lane and struck an SUV on snow-covered Highway 26 near Warm Springs, Oregon State Police said Saturday.

A preliminary investigation found that around 9 p.m., a 2004 Ford F-250 driven by Juan Guerrero Gomez, 42, of Gresham was heading west on the highway near milepost 93 when the pickup crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2016 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Matthew Hiller of Vancouver, said OSP Lt. Cari Boyd.

Hiller was pronounced dead at the scene, Boyd said.

There were three passengers in the Pathfinder and none in the F-250, she added.

Wendy Hiller, 44, and a 1-year-old were taken to St. Charles Madras for treatment of minor injuries. A 12-year-old passenger was flown by air ambulance to St. Charles Bend with serious injuries, Boyd said.

Troopers said they are looking into the possibility that Gomez may have been passing at the time of the collision, based on statements at the scene from surviving occupants and witnesses.

Witnesses reported heavy snowfall at the time of the crash, which blocked the highway for some time. Seatbelts and child safety restraints were being utilized, Boyd said, and airbags deployed in both vehicles.

The crash closed the highway for about 4 1/2 hours, the lieutenant said.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Warm Springs police and fire medics, and ODOT.