Possible brake failure causes I-84 crash and shutdown near Ontario, OSP reports
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, August 19th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER & MALHEUR COUNTIES – On Monday, August 17, I-84 between Baker City and Ontario was completely shut down from around 10:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. due to a multi-vehicle crash northwest of Ontario near milepost 356. The Oregon State Police have since released a preliminary report on the crash, which indicates a westbound pickup truck pulling a trailer may have experienced break failure while heading downhill into a construction zone, striking multiple vehicles in both the west and eastbound lanes and causing several injuries.
OSP Specifically began responding to the crash at around 10:36 a.m. at milepost 356, roughly three miles northwest of Ontario. A full summary of the crash and initial investigation, as provided by OSP in a recent press log, is as follows:
“A Ford pickup towing a flatbed trailer was traveling downhill on the Interstate and approaching several slowing vehicles entering a construction zone. The driver of the Ford pickup stated his brakes went out and he could not stop.
The Ford pickup collided with the rear of a box truck which caused it to collide with the rear end of a Chrysler minivan. The Box truck rolled over onto its side and the Ford Pickup and trailer continued past the box truck colliding with the Christler Mini van. The Ford pickup continued westbound dragging the minivan with it until it entered into the oncoming lane and collided with a white Buick sedan. The white Buick sedan was forced up onto the right- hand guard rail and came to rest wedged between the Ford pickup and guard rail.
The driver and passenger of the Box truck reported injuries from the collision. The driver and passenger of the Buick reported injuries from the collision. The occupants of the Chrysler mini van and the driver of the Ford pickup reported no injuries.
High Desert Towing responded to the scene and removed the Ford pickup, Trailer and Buick due to damage. 208 Towing responded and removed the Chrysler minivan due to damage and Roadrunner Towing removed the Box truck. The Driver of the Ford pickup was issued a citation for Careless Driving, Failure to have Driver Logs and Failure to Have Oregon Weight Receipt.”
The identity of the pickup truck driver was not provided in the report.
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(Left photo provided by Cassie Jane. Right photo provided by Kyle Hove)
