On October 26, 2018 at approximately 6:15pm, the Oregon State Police responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash US Highway 26 near the intersection of E Cascade Dr. Preliminary investigation revealed that a silver 2005 Honda Odyessy driven by Kevin D LUDWIG, age 33 of SE Portland, was traveling eastbound on US 26 near milepost 39 in the city of Welches. A witness initially observed LUDWIG traveling on the shoulder at approximate 5 mph, then for an unknown reason LUDWIG accelerated eastbound in a diagonal manner crossing the westbound lanes of travel. LUDWIG drove onto a soft shoulder and collided into a tree. LUDWIG sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash after lifesaving measures by medical personnel.
