COOS COUNTY, Oregon — An 18-year-old woman from Coquille lost her life in a devastating head-on crash on Highway 101 in Coos County, authorities confirmed.
According to the Oregon State Police, the fatal accident occurred shortly before 3 p.m. on April 15 near milepost 260. Preliminary findings reveal that a 78-year-old man from Bandon was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of the highway in a white Mercedes E400.
Officials reported that the wrong-way driver narrowly avoided colliding with a patrol vehicle from the Bandon Police Department as well as another civilian vehicle. After noticing the dangerous situation, the officer attempted to pursue and stop the driver.
During the pursuit, the Mercedes struck a guardrail before re-entering the southbound lane, where it collided head-on with a blue Mazda3 driven by 18-year-old Mariah Mayfield of Coquille.
Mayfield was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of the crash. The Bandon driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies, including the Coos County Sheriff’s Office and local fire services, assisted at the scene. The highway remained partially closed for approximately three hours while investigators worked to clear the area and gather evidence.
Authorities say the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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