Authorities confirmed that a fatal two‑vehicle collision occurred on Monday, February 9, 2026, around 7 p.m. on Highway 30 near milepost 51—west of Rainier—resulting in one death and one serious injury. The highway was closed for approximately five hours during investigation and cleanup efforts.

According to a press release by the Oregon State Police, 23‑year‑old Astoria resident Alissa Jenay Jarvis was driving westbound when her vehicle was struck head‑on by a car driven by 34‑year‑old Lorenza Gaspar‑Mateo of Longview, Washington. Jarvis was pronounced dead at the scene, while Gaspar‑Mateo was hospitalized with serious injuries. Impairment and lane safety issues are believed to have contributed to the crash, though no charges have yet been filed and no party has been formally identified as impaired. The highway closure lasted roughly five hours during the on‑scene investigation.

This incident is the most recent of several serious or fatal crashes along the Highway 30 corridor in Columbia County. Less than two weeks earlier, on January 30, another fatal crash occurred near milepost 19, close to Scappoose, when a pedestrian—identified as 69‑year‑old Sherri Lynn Shaver of Eagle Creek—was struck and killed while crossing the highway in unlit conditions, wearing dark clothing. That investigation prompted a three‑hour road closure and raised concerns about pedestrian safety on stretches of U.S. 30 lacking adequate lighting or crossing infrastructure.

Why this matters

Highway 30 serves as a critical connector between communities such as Rainier, Clatskanie, and Scappoose. Recurrent crashes—including both vehicular and pedestrian fatalities—highlight persistent safety vulnerabilities on this stretch of road. Limited turning lanes, poor nighttime visibility, and lack of pedestrian infrastructure combine to heighten risk for both drivers and walkers.

Local authorities, state agencies, and community stakeholders may need to reassess current road safety conditions. This could involve installing turn lanes near high‑traffic junctions, improving lighting and pedestrian crossings near populated areas, and conducting targeted traffic safety enforcement and education.

Residents and local officials should remain vigilant and continue to document recurring safety hazards. A collaborative response—one grounded in transparent dialogue, urgent infrastructure investments, and strong traffic‑safety policy—could be essential to preventing further tragedies on Highway 30.

Details at a glance:
• What: Fatal head‑on crash on Highway 30
• When: Monday, February 9, 2026, around 7 p.m.
• Where: Milepost 51, west of Rainier, Columbia County
• Who: Driver Alissa Jenay Jarvis (23, Astoria) killed; other driver, Lorenza Gaspar‑Mateo (34, Longview), seriously hurt
• Cause: Under investigation; impairment and lane safety cited as contributing factors
• Related incident: January 30 pedestrian fatality near Scappoose, prompting concerns over road safety