Fatal Crash on Highway 18 Halts Traffic for Hours

Police Investigate Fatal Traffic Crash Highway 18 east of Highway 101

Photo of fatal crash scene: Oregon State Police

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - Oregon State Police and the Lincoln County interagency major crash team are continuing the investigation of Saturday afternoon's fatal traffic crash on Highway 18 east of Highway 101.

Troopers say a Langlois-area man died and five others received minor injuries in the crash. The highway re-opened 3 1/2 hours after it happened. The weather was spectacular and thousands of Oregonians were driving to the beach on Highway 18 when the vehicles collided.

OSP Sergeant Justin McGladrey says that at approximately 4:00 p.m. a 1994 Ford F150 pickup driven by 75-year old Everett Harold Landis Jr. of Langlois, was westbound on Highway 18 near milepost 6 when, for an unknown reason, it crossed the center line.

"An eastbound Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility driven by 39-year Kelly R. McCallum of Seattle, Washington, attempted to avoid the pickup but was struck head-on."

McGladrey says all involved people were using safety restraints and both vehicle airbags deployed.

Mr. Landis was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The five injured occupants of the Chevrolet Tahoe were transported by Pacwest Ambulance to North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City. Information indicates they have been treated and released, McGladrey said.

Kelly McCallum was later taken to a Portland-area hospital.

In addition to Kelly McCallum, the other four occupants are identified as his wife, 37-year old Kimberly S. McCallum; his sister, Keeley McCallum of Salem; and their two children, 4-year old Griffon and 2 1/2-year old Ava.

Agencies assisting at the scene were ODOT, North Lincoln Fire & Rescue, Toledo Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, and Lincoln City Police Department.