20-30 vehicles collide in whiteout conditions along major Northwest freeway
The crash occurred on Interstate 84 near Multnomah Falls, which is located nearly 30 miles east of Portland.
100-car pileup reported east of Portland, Oregon on Interstate 84
Winter weather conditions led to a 100-car pileup near Porlland Thursday. The interstate is expected to be closed for some time as first responders work to clear the crash in the conditions.
PORTLAND, Ore. – Slick roads and whiteout conditions caused by a winter storm led to a multi-vehicle pile-up involving more than 20 cars, trucks and semi-trucks in northwest Oregon on Thursday.
The crash occurred on Interstate 84 near Multnomah Falls, which is located nearly 30 miles east of Portland.
Oregon State Police said four people were sent to the hospital for minor injuries.
![SUV on fire.]()
Image 1 of 3SUV on fire. (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)
![Vehicles involved in the pileup of more than 100 vehicles.]()
Image 2 of 3Vehicles involved in the pileup of more than 100 vehicles. (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)
![Vehicles involved in the pileup of more than 100 vehicles.]()
Image 3 of 3Vehicles involved in the pileup of more than 100 vehicles. (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)
In an initial social post, deputies with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office estimated over 100 vehicles had crashed.
"An SUV caught fire in the pileup on I-84, that's described by deputies as involving more than 100 cars, trucks and semi-trucks," the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office said. "Everyone was able to get out of the SUV. Responders are going car by car. There are reports of injuries; no number at this time."
However, the sheriff's office later corrected the tally to around 20-30 vehicles, saying the harsh weather conditions hindered getting a more accurate count.
DANGEROUS ICE STORM THREATENS OVER 1 MILLION IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST: ‘THIS HAS US CONCERNED’
"After a more thorough assessment by responders, the current estimate is that 20-30 vehicles were involved in the crash on I-84 west of Multnomah Falls," the sheriff's office said. "Low visibility made it difficult to differentiate initially between vehicles that were involved and vehicles that were only stopped."
A nearby weather station indicated over 4 hours of steady snow, winds gusting over 25 mph and visibility of 1/4 miles or less.
Other crashes, including another one involving more than 20 vehicles, were reported elsewhere in Multnomah County.
Hazardous road conditions lead to crashes in Washington, Idaho
Across the border in Washington, the weather was no better. Officials in Clark County, home to Vancouver, reported multiple crashes, as snow was causing low visibility and slick roads, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Spinouts along I-5 in Vancouver, WA
(WSDOT / FOX Weather)
Another 15 vehicles, including multiple semis, also collided in the snow-covered southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Castle Rock, about 60 miles north of Portland, blocking the main artery connecting Seattle and Portland for hours and creating a 10-mile backup. The road has since reopened but significant backups remain.
A multi-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of I-5 in Castle Rock, Wash.
(WSDOT)
Idaho also saw crashes on I-84 near the Oregon border. Idaho State Police said at least two crashes were reported on that part of the interstate on Thursday. Much like the crashes farther west in Oregon's Multnomah County, the crashes were due to whiteout conditions.
The hazardous conditions were the result of a potent winter storm that is part of a 1,500-mile system pummeling the Pacific Coast and is threatening a switchover to freezing rain later in the day.