Two dead and several injured after mass accident in Columbia County

PORTLAND, Oregon (KOIN) – Two people were killed and several others injured in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 30 in Columbia County early Friday morning, officials said.

According to police, a gray Kia Soul was traveling westbound near milepost 51 when the driver, 54-year-old Bridget Ann Connell, attempted to turn left into the Valley Veterinary Clinic. At that point, a white GMC Sierra, driven by 56-year-old William Eugene Howard, rear-ended her, forcing the Kia into the eastbound lane.

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

Connell and her passenger, 47-year-old Nyx Ariel Connell, were pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 8 a.m. According to police, Howard and Huff – as well as two children in Huff’s car – all suffered minor injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital.

The highway was closed for nearly six hours for investigations. The circumstances leading to the accident are still unknown and no arrests have been made.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story continues to develop.