COOS COUNTY, OR - Oregon State Police (OSP report that on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 11:47 a.m., OSP responded to a two-vehicle crash on OR 42 near milepost 10.4, in Coos County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a BMW sedan, operated by Brandon Smith (32) of Coos Bay, was traveling westbound on OR 42 when for unknown reasons went into an uncontrolled spin, traveled into the eastbound lanes of travel, and collided with an eastbound Toyota Corolla, operated by Dana Salmon (32) of Myrtle Point. Both vehicles came to an uncontrolled rest within the eastbound lanes of travel, at which time the BMW became engulfed in flames.
The operator of the BMW (Smith) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Toyota (Salmon) was transported to a local area hospital with serious injuries.
The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by Coquille Police Department, Coquille Fire Department, Coquille Ambulance, and ODOT.
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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU)
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.
