Both drivers cited after Hwy. 26 head-on crash

Two drivers, one from Bend, were cited by Oregon State Police following a head-on injury crash on U.S. Highway 26 near Banks in Washington County on Monday morning.

According to OSP Senior Trooper Steve Carlson, shortly after 5 a.m., a 1998 Volvo station wagon driven by Jason R. Costa, 36, of Bend, was eastbound on Highway 26 near milepost 49 when it was involved in a head-on collision in the westbound lane with a 2001 Subaru Forester driven by Kevin R. Neal, 53, of southwest Portland.

Costa was treated at the scene for minor injuries. He told troopers he moved toward the westbound lane to avoid the other vehicle. Costa was cited for driving with a suspended license (a violation).

Neal was taken by ambulance to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, troopers said. He was cited to appear in Washington County Circuit Court on charges of DUII, driving with a suspended license (misdemeanor) and recklessly endangering another person.

Seat belt use information was not available as the investigation was continuing.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Banks Fire District 13 and ODOT. The highway was closed for about 90 minutes.