Portland, OR — February 26, 2025, one person was killed and another was injured in a truck accident at about 6 p.m. on Northeast Marine Drive.

Authorities said a Ford F-150 was headed west near Interlochen Drive when it crashed head-on with a delivery truck. The impact caused the picked to turn onto its side.

The pickup driver, whose name has not been made public, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near Big Eddy Marina on Columbia River, while a passenger was not injured, according to authorities.

The Federal Express delivery truck driver was hospitalized with undisclosed injuries, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Multnomah County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Head-on collisions almost always raise the same critical question: Why did one vehicle end up in the other’s lane? In this case, reports indicate that a Ford F-150 and a delivery truck collided head-on, but without more details, it’s unclear which vehicle crossed the center line, or why.

One possibility is driver error. Did the pickup driver lose control due to distraction, fatigue, or impairment? Did the delivery truck driver misjudge a turn or drift into oncoming traffic? Investigators should review black box data, dashcam footage and any available witness statements to determine whether either driver was behaving recklessly or failed to react in time.

Road conditions and visibility should also be considered. Was the roadway wet, icy or poorly lit? Northeast Marine Drive is known for having narrow lanes and limited room for error in certain areas. If weather or road design played a role, that’s something investigators should take into account.

Mechanical issues are another factor. A tire blowout, brake failure or steering issue could have forced one of the vehicles into the other’s path. A full vehicle inspection should be conducted to rule out any mechanical failures that contributed to the crash.

At this stage, it’s too soon to say exactly what happened. But if authorities focus only on who crossed the center line without asking why, they might miss key details that could help prevent similar crashes in the future. A thorough investigation should consider all possible factors, from driver behavior to vehicle performance and road conditions.