Crash on McCollough Bridge Halts Traffic for 2 Hours (PHOTOS)

Two people were transported to Bay Area Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Photos of crash scene on the McCollough Bridge Courtesy of the Oregon State Police Coos Bay Area Command

(NORTH BEND, Ore.) - Police say a minor injury three car crash on the McCullough this afternoon caused all lanes across the bridge to be closed for about two hours. The McCullough Bridge is located just north of North Bend and spans over Coos Bay.

Oregon State Police Sgt. John Keeler says today around 12:30 p.m., a silver 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, driven by 54-year old Hackie Bernard of Reedsport, was northbound on US 101 going across the McCullough Bridge.

"It appears that Bernard suffered an unknown medical condition that caused her to lose control of her vehicle. Bernard's vehicle went into the curbing of the northbound sidewalk."

Keeler says after impacting the curbing, Bernard's vehicle drove into the southbound lane and collided with the left rear of a 2006 Chevrolet Bus driven by 30-year old Danielle Otten of Eugene.

"In addition to Otten, the bus was also occupied by 20-year old Aieriel Davidson of Medford, and one other unidentified passenger. The Chevrolet Bus driven by Otten slid sideways and went up to the southbound sidewalk."

After going onto the sidewalk the Chevrolet Bus went off the sidewalk Keeler said, and it slid sideways into the northbound lane where it collided with a 2005 Honda Civic, driven by 30-year old Jill Knight of Coos Bay. In addition to Knight, her vehicle was occupied one unidentified passenger.

Bernard and Davidson were transported to Bay Area Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Keeler says the McCullough Bridge was closed to traffic for about two hours while the scene could be cleared up by Mast Brothers Towing, South Coast Towing, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. A detour was set up for southbound traffic over East Bay Drive.

OSP troopers from the Coos Bay Area Command are continuing their investigation. Seatbelt usage is still being determined by investigators, Keeler said, adding that OSP personnel were assisted at the scene by North Bend Police Department, Bay Cities Ambulance, North Bay Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.