Memorial Day Weekend Tragedy: Two Lives Lost in Oregon Highway Crashes

Deschutes and Tillamook Counties, Oregon | May 24-25, 2025

Two separate fatal crashes on Oregon highways over Memorial Day weekend have left two people dead and several others seriously injured, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP). The crashes occurred in Deschutes and Tillamook counties and disrupted traffic over the busy holiday weekend.

Sunriver Man Killed in U.S. 97 Crash

On Friday, May 24, Marvin Lee Cudd Jr., 76, of Sunriver, was killed in a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 97 in Deschutes County. According to OSP, Cudd was attempting to cross the highway in his 2003 Ford Taurus when he was struck by a northbound Chevrolet Silverado. The impact occurred on the driver’s side door of Cudd’s vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Silverado sustained minor injuries. Authorities have not indicated whether any citations or charges are pending, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Fatal Head-On Collision on U.S. 26 in Tillamook County

The following day, on Saturday, May 25, Michelle Marie Moussan, 59, of Vancouver, Washington, was killed in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 26 in Tillamook County. OSP investigators believe a westbound Toyota RAV4 crossed the centerline and collided with a Nissan Sentra in which Moussan was a passenger.

Moussan was declared deceased at the scene. The driver and passenger of the RAV4—both from the Seattle area—were transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Nissan Sentra and two additional passengers also sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized. The crash closed U.S. 26 for approximately five hours.

Legal Considerations Under Oregon Law

Both incidents raise critical legal questions for the victims and their families. In the Deschutes County crash, the surviving family members of Marvin Lee Cudd Jr. may have grounds to explore a wrongful death claim, depending on the results of the crash investigation and whether negligence played a role.

Similarly, the Tillamook County collision may result in multiple legal claims. Moussan’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim, while the injured occupants of both vehicles could explore legal options for personal injury, car accident injury, or even claims for pain and suffering.

If the RAV4 driver is determined to have been at fault—whether due to distraction, impairment, fatigue, or another form of negligence—those injured or representing the deceased may also seek damages for economic losses, medical expenses, and long-term care.

A Stark Reminder on Highway Safety

These back-to-back incidents highlight the ongoing danger posed by high-speed travel on rural stretches of Oregon’s federal highways. Centerline crossover crashes, like the one on U.S. 26, are particularly hazardous and often result in severe or fatal injuries.

Motorists are urged to remain vigilant, avoid distractions, and obey all posted traffic laws—especially during holiday periods when traffic volume and driving fatigue increase the risk of serious accidents.

What to Do If You’ve Been Affected

For those injured or who have lost a loved one in a highway accident due to someone else’s negligence, it is essential to understand your rights under Oregon law. Legal remedies may include claims for medical bills, lost income, long-term care, and loss of companionship, among others.

The attorneys at Pacific Injury Law Firm in Portland, Oregon, specialize in representing victims of car and truck accidents, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one has been impacted by a similar incident, contact us for a free consultation or call 971-277-3811 to learn more about your legal rights.

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Sources:

• Sami Edge, The Oregonian/OregonLive (opens in a new tab)