A tragic head-on collision on Highway 18 in Tillamook County has left a community mourning the loss of Patrick John Stubblefield, 43, of Salem, who was pronounced deceased at the scene following a devastating two-vehicle crash.
According to a news release from the Oregon State Police, the crash occurred on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at approximately 1:18 p.m., near milepost 13.5 on Highway 18 near Otis. Authorities reported that a black Cadillac sedan traveling eastbound, operated by 43-year-old Brandon Westly Joslin of Scotts Mills, failed to negotiate a curve for reasons still under investigation. The vehicle continued straight into the westbound lane, where it collided head-on with a gray Hyundai Sonata traveling in the opposite direction.
The impact of the collision proved fatal for passenger Patrick John Stubblefield, who was in the Cadillac at the time of the crash. Despite emergency response efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the Cadillac, Brandon Joslin, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. In the Hyundai Sonata, the driver, 22-year-old Hannah Louise Parsons of Elgin, along with two adult passengers, also suffered serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals for medical care.
The crash brought traffic along Highway 18 to a halt for approximately three hours as investigators worked the scene, documenting evidence and reconstructing the sequence of events that led to the fatal impact.
The investigation is being led by the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU), a specialized team trained to analyze complex traffic incidents. The CRU is responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury crashes across Oregon and utilizes advanced techniques, including precise measurement tools and unmanned aerial systems, to assist in determining how collisions occur. The unit includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical investigators assigned throughout the state.
Assistance at the scene was provided by North Lincoln Fire Rescue, Grand Ronde Emergency Services, and the Oregon Department of Transportation, all of whom worked to secure the area, assist the injured, and support investigative efforts.
As authorities continue to determine the exact cause of the crash, loved ones are left grappling with the sudden and painful loss of Patrick Stubblefield. His passing marks a heartbreaking moment for family, friends, and all who knew him, as they remember a life that ended far too soon.
In the wake of this tragedy, those closest to him are left holding memories of a man whose presence mattered deeply. While investigations continue, his name now joins the growing list of lives lost on Oregon roadways—each one a reminder of how quickly a moment on the road can change everything.
May Patrick John Stubblefield be remembered with respect and love, and may his family find strength and comfort as they navigate this difficult time.
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