Two Children Killed, Multiple Injured in Devastating Three-Vehicle Crash on Highway 101 in Clatsop County
CLATSOP COUNTY, Ore. — Tragedy struck Oregon’s coastal Highway 101 on Thursday, June 26, 2025, when a violent three-vehicle crash near milepost 27 resulted in the deaths of two young girls and left multiple others with serious injuries. The Oregon State Police (OSP) and multiple local agencies responded to the collision, which occurred at 1:21 p.m. and shut down a section of the highway for more than seven hours.
According to a preliminary investigation by OSP, the crash was caused when a southbound Toyota Tacoma, driven by Ian Granville Hix, 30, of Seaside, unexpectedly veered into the northbound lane of the highway for reasons that remain unknown. The Tacoma first collided head-on with a northbound Honda CRV, operated by Phyllis J. Harding, 76, of San Francisco, California. The impact forced the Honda onto the northbound shoulder.
The Toyota Tacoma then continued in the northbound lane and struck a second vehicle, a Nissan Rogue, head-on. That vehicle was operated by Charles Paul LeBlanc, 57, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was carrying three passengers: his wife, Jennifer Lyria LeBlanc, 52, and two juvenile females, aged 15 and 12, whose names have not been released by authorities due to their age.
The crash site was described as a horrific scene of twisted metal and scattered debris, prompting a massive emergency response. First responders from Cannon Beach Police Department, Gearhart Police Department, Cannon Beach Fire, Seaside Fire, and ODOT were dispatched to assist with rescue, medical response, traffic control, and the extensive cleanup effort.
Injuries and Fatalities
- Ian Hix, the driver of the Toyota Tacoma, suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
- Phyllis Harding, the driver of the Honda CRV, also sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized.
- Charles LeBlanc and Jennifer LeBlanc, the adult occupants of the Nissan Rogue, suffered serious injuries and were both transported to a nearby hospital.
- The 15-year-old and 12-year-old girls in the backseat of the Rogue were declared deceased at the scene due to catastrophic injuries sustained during the crash.
The identities of the minors have not been released out of respect for the family and to allow for proper family notification. The LeBlanc family, vacationing from New Mexico, had reportedly been traveling along Oregon’s scenic Highway 101 when their trip was tragically cut short.
Ongoing Investigation
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is leading the investigation, using advanced reconstruction techniques and forensic analysis to determine what caused Hix to cross into oncoming traffic. No charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Officials have not ruled out impairment, distraction, or mechanical failure as possible contributing factors. An autopsy and toxicology report on all involved drivers will be conducted as part of the standard investigation protocol.
Impact and Community Response
The crash caused the closure of Highway 101 for approximately seven hours, significantly impacting local traffic and tourism flow along the coast during the peak summer season. Travelers were rerouted while investigators documented the scene and emergency personnel worked to clear the wreckage.
The Cannon Beach and Seaside communities, often bustling with vacationers and families during this time of year, are now mourning a devastating loss. Local leaders have called for a moment of silence in memory of the children who lost their lives.
“This tragedy reminds us just how fragile life is,” said Clatsop County Commissioner Tara Hanson. “Our hearts go out to the families affected — especially the LeBlanc family, who came here to create memories and instead faced unimaginable loss.”
About the Oregon State Police CRU
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized team trained to handle fatal and critical injury crashes. Their expertise includes advanced measurement techniques, scene analysis, and the use of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). The unit’s ACTAR-accredited reconstructionists are considered among the most skilled crash investigators in the state.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has relevant information — including dashcam footage — is asked to contact the Oregon State Police Northern Command at (503) 378-3720.
As the investigation continues, the community holds its breath, mourning the lives lost and praying for the recovery of those still hospitalized. The tragic events of June 26 will not soon be forgotten along this stretch of Oregon’s picturesque but sometimes perilous coastal highway.