Fatal Crash After High Speed Pass

Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 4:55 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Hwy 101, in Tillamook County. The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Dodge Charger, operated by Ellis Miller Heine (56) of Cottage Grove, attempted to pass another vehicle and lost control. The Dodge slid across the northbound lane and into the ditch at highway speeds before striking a tree.

The operator of the Dodge (Ellis Heine) was seriously injured and transported to a local hospital. A passenger in the Dodge, Rhonda Sue Heine (55) of Cottage Grove, was declared deceased at the scene. The cause of the crash is under investigation. OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office and Nehalem Bay Fire.