Two dead, several injured after multi-vehicle crash in Columbia County

A three-vehicle crash on Highway 30 in Columbia County left two people dead and several others injured, resulting in a six-hour highway closure and an ongoing investigation.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A three-vehicle crash on Highway 30 left two dead and several others injured early Friday morning in Columbia County, officials say.

According to police, a gray Kia Soul had been traveling westbound near Milepost 51 when the driver, 54-year-old Bridget Ann Connell, tried to take a left hand turn into Valley Veterinary Clinic. At that moment, a white GMC Sierra, driven by 56-year-old William Eugene Howard, rear-ended her and caused the Kia to be pushed into the eastbound lane.

Connell’s car was hit head-on by a third car, a eastbound black Dodge Journey operated by 33-year-old Jennifer Lynn Huff.

Connell and her passenger, 47-year-old Nyx Ariel Connell, were both declared deceased at the scene just after 8 a.m. Police say Howard and Huff—as well as two children in Huff’s car— all suffered minor injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital.

An investigation closed the highway for nearly six hours. The circumstances that led to the crash remain unknown and no arrests were made.

Stay with KOIN 6 news as this story develops.