WASCO COUNTY, Ore. (16 Oct. 2026) – On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at approximately 1:18 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 97 near milepost 69 in Wasco County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a blue Volvo commercial semi-truck pulling a 53-foot box tailer, operated by Muhammad Shafiq (32) of Yuba City, California, was traveling southbound on Highway 97 near the Cow Canyon Rest Area when a silver Toyota Venza, operated by Mary Elizabeth Auch Hankins (75) of Portland, pulled in front of the semi-truck to make a left-hand turn. The semi collided with the Toyota and upon impact, the Toyota was pushed over an embankment. Both vehicles came to rest off the east shoulder of the highway.
The operator of the Toyota (Auch Hankins) was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A Toyota passenger, Richard Thomas Hankins (80) of Portland, was seriously injured and transported by Life Flight to an area hospital.
The operator of the semi-truck (Shafiq) was reportedly not injured, remained on scene, and cooperated with the investigation.
The highway was not impacted by the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Fire and EMS, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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