Lane County, OR (October 24, 2024) – A tragic accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon involving a logging truck that resulted in one fatality and serious injuries. At approximately 3:15 p.m., a Kenworth logging truck, driven by 50-year-old Billy Lee Bales Coder, experienced a catastrophic engine failure while traveling westbound on Highway 126. This failure led to an oil leak that extended over a 200-foot area as the truck passed through the Knowles Creek Tunnel.
After exiting the tunnel, Coder pulled over to the side of the road. Unfortunately, the oil slick created by the logging truck caused a Nissan Rogue, driven by 65-year-old Mary Helen Dale, to lose control. The Nissan Rogue collided with the parked logging truck, resulting in significant damage and injuries.
The collision led to a chain reaction involving four vehicles in total, highlighting the dangers posed by hazardous road conditions. Emergency responders arrived at the scene promptly, but despite their efforts, one individual was pronounced dead, and another sustained serious injuries.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends affected by this devastating incident.