Vale woman killed in crash on Highway 26
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
MALHEUR COUNTY — (Press release from the Oregon State Police) On Monday, October 19, 2026, at approximately 2:09 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 26 near milepost 244 in Malheur County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a green Hyundai Santa Fe, operated by Autumn Jean Hansen (41) of Vale, was eastbound on Highway 26 when the vehicle turned into the path of a westbound white Ford Expedition, operated by Douglas Alan Sharp (62), of John Day.
The operator of the Hyundai (Hansen) was declared deceased at the scene. Hansen was not believed to have been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The operator of the Ford (Sharp) sustained serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
Three juveniles in the Hyundai were flown to a regional hospital with serious injuries.
Witnesses reported the Hyundai may have been attempting a U-turn in front of the Ford, and it had also been observed making a U-turn prior to the crash.
The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by Vale Fire & Ambulance, Treasure Valley Paramedics, the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
