CLATSOP COUNTY, OR - On Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 3:46 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash on Hwy 101, near milepost 32, in Clatsop County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Honda Shadow, operated by Wesley Dalton Leraas (30) of Gearhart, and a Yamaha V-Star, operated by Daniel Walter Whitehouse (45) of Bay City, were attempting to pass a northbound vehicle and entered the southbound lane. The motorcycles were passing in a curved area and encountered a southbound GMC Sierra, operated by Daniel Ray Mullins (71) of Rockaway Beach. The motorcycles made contact with each other as they attempted to reenter the northbound lane. The operator of the Honda lost control and struck the GMC head-on. The operator of the Yamaha temporarily lost control but was able to reenter the northbound lane and avoid a collision with the GMC.
The operator of the Honda (Leraas) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Yamaha (Whitehouse) was reportedly not injured.
The operator of the GMC (Mullins) and passengers were reportedly uninjured.
The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. The primary cause of the crash being considered is unsafe passing and speed.
OSP was assisted by the Clatsop County Sheriff's Office, Cannon Beach Fire, 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.
