MYRTLE POINT — On Saturday, September 19, 2026, at approximately 4:46 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 42 near milepost 21 in Coos County. This location is within the city limits of Myrtle Point.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Myrtle Point Police Department officer was attempting to contact a suspect, identified as Gregory Paul Olson (69) of Myrtle Point, who had attempted to leave a local business several hours earlier without paying for merchandise. Olson fled from the officer in his vehicle, a silver Land Rover LR3 and traveled eastbound on Highway 42 at a high rate of speed.
Olson subsequently lost control of the vehicle, crossed over the center line, and collided head-on with a westbound blue Subaru Forester, operated by James Edward Price (32) of Myrtle Point, that was towing a jet ski.
The operator of the Subaru (Price) was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Subaru, Genevieve Marie Huffaker (20) of Coquille, was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased. A 4-month-old female infant was transported to a Portland-area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
Olson suffered serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.
The Oregon State Police investigation is ongoing.
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