1 dead, 2 critically hurt in head-on crash that closed Highway 30 near Scappoose

This is a developing story and will be updated as officials release more information. Updated 7:55 p.m. PT Oct. 19.

Quick Read

• One person died and two others were taken to Portland-area hospitals in critical condition after a head-on crash on Highway 30 near Scappoose on Monday evening, according to the Scappoose Fire District as reported by KGW.

• The crash closed all eastbound lanes and cut westbound traffic to one lane near milepost 18, the Oregon Department of Transportation said, according to KPTV.

• The city of Scappoose said the closures were expected to last for an extended period and asked drivers to find alternate routes, KGW reported.

• Scappoose police and Oregon State Police responded, and officials have not released the names of the people involved or a cause.

SCAPPOOSE, Ore. - A head-on crash on U.S. Highway 30 near Scappoose killed one person and sent two others to the hospital in critical condition Monday evening, shutting down much of the highway, according to KGW.

The Oregon Department of Transportation said all eastbound lanes and one westbound lane were closed at around 6:30 p.m. near milepost 18, KPTV FOX 12 reported. KGW reported that the crash shut down all eastbound lanes and left a single westbound lane open, and that the closures were still in place as of 7 p.m.

According to the Scappoose Fire District, two critical patients were taken to Portland-area hospitals and one person was confirmed dead at the scene, KGW reported.

The city of Scappoose said its police officers and Oregon State Police were at the scene, just south of the Multnomah-Columbia County line, according to KGW. The city said the closures were expected to last for an "extended period of time" and asked drivers to "find alternative routes as our first responders work to conduct a detailed and thorough investigation."

Investigators were working on crash reconstruction at the scene as of 6:30 p.m., KGW reported. KPTV said ODOT advised drivers to expect an extended delay in the area and to watch for flaggers.

Officials have not released the names of the people involved, how many vehicles were involved, or what caused the crash.

Traffic

Drivers headed between Portland and Scappoose, St. Helens or the coast on Highway 30 should check ODOT's TripCheck for current closures before leaving.

Sources

KGW: Fatal head-on crash closes multiple lanes of Highway 30 near Scappoose (Oct. 19, 2026)

KPTV FOX 12: Crash near Scappoose prompts several lane closures along Hwy 30 (Oct. 19, 2026)

Oregon Department of Transportation: TripCheck road conditions