Cannon Beach Crash Kills 1, Injures 4

Date: October 14, 2009
Location: Highway 101 near Arch Cape tunnel, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Names: Charles E. Nilson, Carol Nilson, Debra Nilson, Tom Watson, Sydnee Watson

A two-car, head-on crash on Highway 101 near the Arch Cape Tunnel, in Cannon Beach, Oregon, killed Charles E. Nilson, 83, and seriously injured his wife, Carol, 79, and daughter, Debra, 53. A couple, Tom Watson, 64, and his wife, Sydnee, 62, both of Walla Walla, who were in the truck he collided with, was also injured in the accident.

According to an Oregon State Police press release, the accident occurred October 14, 2009, at around 7:30 PM, as Nilson, of Lake Forest, Washington, was driving his 1994 Volvo north on a straight stretch of highway. Nilson lost control of his car and veered into oncoming traffic, crashing into a southbound 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nilson’s wife and daughter sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken by ambulance to Providence Seaside Hospital.

The Watsons were transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria. Tom Watson suffered serious injuries; Sydnee Watson had non-life-threatening injuries.

Highway 101 was closed until approximately 12:30 AM. Responders included Oregon State Police, Cannon Beach Fire & Rescue, and the Cannon Beach Police Department, assisted by Medix Ambulance and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Oregon State Police troopers were still investigating the crash as of October 15, and it was not yet known whether any of the victims were wearing safety restraints.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of all the victims. We especially want to give our condolences to the Nilsons, who, even as they heal from their own injuries, must deal with the loss of someone so dear. This is exactly the kind of accident we hate to see and hope to prevent. We also would like to wish the Watsons a very speedy recovery, both physically and emotionally. A car accident is always a difficult thing to go through, and one that involves a death can be even worse.

Many questions arise out of a car crash. And unfortunately, our minds don’t often focus on recovering; they usually go directly to the financial – medical bills, insurance policies, lost wages. How will you and your family get through it? Fortunately, victims have resources. That’s why we’re here. As personal injury attorneys, we are not ambulance chasers; we honestly started this firm to help. And the first thing you should do after getting the medical help you need is to go to our website – not to give us your business, but to read our tips, download helpful documents, and request a free copy of our book. And if that’s not enough, please contact our office to ask us any questions.