Mariah Mayfield Coquille OR Obituary, Death: An 18-year-old driver was killed Wednesday afternoon in a head-on collision with a wrong-way vehicle along Highway 101 on the Southern Oregon coast, according to authorities.
The crash occurred shortly before 3 p.m. when a Bandon Police officer spotted a white Mercedes E400 traveling northbound in the southbound lane, nearly colliding with the officer’s patrol car and another vehicle. The officer immediately activated emergency lights and sirens and made a U-turn in an attempt to intercept the driver.
While attempting to catch up, the Mercedes reportedly struck a guardrail, then re-entered the southbound lane, where it collided head-on with a blue Mazda3 traveling in the correct direction.
The driver of the Mazda, identified as 18-year-old Mariah Mayfield of Coquille, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed that the driver of the Mercedes, 78-year-old Bernard Cooley of Bandon, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The crash prompted a significant emergency response and led to the closure of Highway 101 for approximately three hours as Oregon State Police conducted an on-scene investigation. Traffic in the area was diverted while crews worked to clear the roadway and gather evidence.
Investigators are continuing to examine what caused the Mercedes to travel in the wrong direction on the highway. Officials have not yet determined whether impairment, medical issues, or other factors may have contributed.
Oregon State Police said multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Bandon Police Department, Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Bandon Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information about the incident to contact Oregon State Police as the investigation remains ongoing.