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Two separate fatal crashes within days on Highway 213 in Clackamas County leave two dead and several injured, prompting legal and safety scrutiny.
This update summarizes the reported event and explains the practical legal context Oregon readers may want to understand. It is general information, not case-specific legal advice.
Published November 29, 2024
A pair of deadly car crashes on Oregon’s Highway 213 near milepost 10 in Clackamas County have left two individuals dead and several others injured in the span of less than 36 hours, drawing attention to roadway safety and potential legal ramifications for victims and families.
At approximately 5:13 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash on the southbound side of Highway 213 near Mulino.
Investigators determined that 54-year-old Delfino Palacios Navarro of Molalla was driving a black Mazda MZ6 southbound when he lost control while navigating a curve and crossed into the northbound lanes. The Mazda struck a white Ram CS5 operated by 37-year-old Ryan Lynch of Oregon City. The impact pushed the Ram into the opposing lane, where it collided head-on with a silver Ford Escape driven by 60-year-old Stacy Flintjer of Mulino.
Navarro was airlifted to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Flintjer was also transported with non-life-threatening injuries. Lynch did not appear to suffer significant injuries.
Authorities noted that the Mazda Navarro was driving had been the subject of a driving complaint minutes before the collision. However, no further details have been released regarding whether impairment or speed were factors.
Just two days later, on Friday, November 29 at around 6:57 a.m., another crash occurred near milepost 10 on the northbound side of Highway 213. According to the Oregon State Police, 23-year-old Lyndsey Gail Mohler of Molalla was driving a silver Ford Focus southbound when she lost control negotiating a curve and entered the northbound lanes.
Mohler collided head-on with a blue Subaru Crosstrek driven by 28-year-old Shelby Ray Edwards of Gresham. Mohler was pronounced dead at the scene. Edwards and a passenger in the Subaru were transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
These nearly back-to-back fatal accidents on the same stretch of road raise questions not only about road conditions and driver behavior but also about the legal rights of surviving victims and the families of those who lost their lives.
In cases where a driver crosses into oncoming traffic and causes a crash, injured parties may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s estate or insurance provider. Families of the deceased may also consider a wrongful death claim if evidence suggests negligence, such as distracted or impaired driving.
Additionally, if either crash is found to involve intoxicants, bars or other establishments that served alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals could face Dram Shop liability.
OSP’s Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate both incidents. The unit specializes in analyzing fatal and critical injury collisions using advanced technology and certified reconstruction experts.
Both collisions triggered extensive emergency responses. Clackamas Fire, Molalla Fire, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted at the scenes. Life Flight was also involved in air ambulance transport for the November 27 crash.
Highway 213 was closed for several hours in both incidents to allow for investigation and cleanup.
These tragic incidents underscore the importance of safe driving, especially on rural highways with sharp curves and limited visibility. Survivors and families impacted by such crashes may face mounting medical bills, emotional trauma, and an uncertain legal path forward.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash or suffered a wrongful death due to another driver’s negligence, contact Pacific Injury Law Firm for a free consultation. Our experienced Oregon personal injury attorneys are here to help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us at 971-277-3811.
Source reporting used to prepare this update and preserve citation transparency.
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