On Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at approximately 8:00 P.M. Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle crash on Highway 6 near milepost 48. Preliminary investigation revealed that a Ford Fiesta, operated by Talita Weltzien (19) of Hillsboro, was eastbound on Hwy 6 when it ran into the trailer attached to a Volvo Commercial Motor Vehicle, operated by Robert Grinstead (56) of Gresham, that was stopped in an active construction zone. After the initial collision the Fiesta entered the westbound lanes and was hit by a Ford Explorer, operated by Brian Reynolds (48) of Tillamook. A passenger in the Fiesta, Elizabeth Shell (19) of Hillsboro, sustained fatal injuries was was pronounced deceased at the scene. Weltzien was transported to Emanuel Hospital with minor injuries. After release from the hospital she was transported and lodged into the Washington County Jail on the following charges: Manslaughter 2/ DUII / Reckless Driving / Reckless Endangering / Reckless Endangering of a Highway worker / Criminal Mischief 2. All others involved received minor/no injuries.
