On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at approximately 5:46 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Hwy-126W, near milepost 30, in Lane County. The preliminary investigation indicated a white Dodge Challenger, operated by Allen David Weaver Jr (51) of Grace (ID), was westbound on Hwy 126W near milepost 30 when for unknown reasons it crossed the double yellow centerline and sideswiped a white Nissan Frontier, operated by McKenzie Rhea Myers (36) of Florence, which was pulling a travel trailer. The Dodge Challenger continued out of control westbound in the eastbound lane and struck a green Toyota Tacoma pickup, operated by Derek Zavier Powell (31) of Eugene, nearly head on. The operator of the Challenger (Weaver Jr) was declared deceased on scene. The operator of the Nissan (Myers) and passenger, Michelle Lynn Wilson (52) of Florence, were not injured during the collision. The operator of the Toyota (Powell) was seriously injured and transported to the hospital for treatment. Two passengers in the Tacoma, Lacy Nicole Taylor (28) of Eugene and Michele Denise Taylor (58) of Eugene, were also declared deceased on scene. A third passenger, David Michael Taylor (59) of Eugene, was seriously injured and transported to the hospital for treatment. The roadway was impacted for approximately 4.5 hours during the on-scene investigation.
