2 killed in single-car crash on Oregon highway

Authorities say the vehicle left the road and struck a tree near milepost 40 in Lane County

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A single-car crash on Highway 58 in Oregon took the lives of two people early Sunday morning, according to state police. Investigators say a 25-year-old woman named Anais Rowell was driving a Toyota Tacoma eastbound when the vehicle left the road for unknown reasons and struck a tree head-on. Rowell and her 24-year-old passenger, Malia Kana Malo, were both declared dead at the scene.

Why it matters

Fatal single-vehicle crashes on rural highways are a persistent public safety issue, often involving factors like driver distraction, impairment, or loss of control. This incident highlights the need for continued education and enforcement efforts to improve road safety, especially in areas with higher speed limits and less traffic.

The details

According to Oregon State Police, the crash occurred around 1:30 a.m. near milepost 40 on Highway 58 in Lane County. Anais Rowell, the 25-year-old driver, was traveling eastbound in a Toyota Tacoma when the vehicle left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a tree head-on. Both Rowell and her 24-year-old passenger, Malia Kana Malo, were pronounced dead at the scene.

  • The crash occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Anais Rowell

A 25-year-old woman who was driving the Toyota Tacoma that crashed, resulting in her death.

Malia Kana Malo

A 24-year-old passenger in the Toyota Tacoma who was killed in the crash.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of safe driving practices, especially on rural highways with higher speed limits. Authorities will likely investigate the cause of the crash to determine if factors like distraction, impairment, or loss of control were involved, in order to inform future safety initiatives and prevent similar accidents.