Buxton, Crash, Highway 26

Beaverton man dies in crash west of Buxton

Photo from the scene: Banks Fire District 13

BUXTON – Highway 26 was closed for three hours after a Beaverton man crashed on Friday afternoon, dying at the scene.

According to a media release from the Oregon State Police, Ken Duong, 48, of Beaverton was driving east on Highway 26 at approximately 12:10 p.m. when, for reasons unknown, his Toyota Yaris left the roadway and slammed into the east end of the Dennis L. Edwards Tunnel.

The Dennis L. Edwards Tunnel is located near mile marker 41 between the Timber Junction and the Vernonia turn off at Staley’s Junction

A photo shared by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office showed a severely damaged vehicle that appears to have been damaged by fire. The front half of the vehicle was nearly unrecognizable.

Highway 26 was closed for almost three hours while investigators examined the scene.

In a statement released on their Facebook page, Banks Fire District urged drivers to use caution on the region’s busy highways.

We would like to reiterate the importance of safe driving at all times when operating a motor vehicle. When driving, always stay attentive, wear your seatbelts, maintain the speed limit and a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front if you. Also be aware of the potential for debris in the road, or other vehicles crossing into your lane,” their post read.

Responding to the scene of the crash were crews from Banks Fire District 13, ODOT, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police.

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Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.

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