The Dalles, OR (February 16, 2026) — A collision involving two commercial trucks and an Oregon State Police vehicle occurred Monday morning near Interstate 84 exit 87 along Highway 197, just north of the interstate. Authorities reported that the crash took place at approximately 7:30 a.m. on the I-84 on-ramp in The Dalles.
According to initial reports, an Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife K-9 vehicle was involved in a collision with two commercial vehicles — an unloaded log truck and a semi-truck with a trailer. Two state troopers and one of the commercial truck drivers were transported to hospitals for treatment. The K-9 and the other commercial driver were reportedly not injured. The investigation remains ongoing.
Because the crash occurred on or near an interstate on-ramp, investigators will likely focus on how the vehicles were positioned and moving at the time of impact. On-ramps and off-ramps can create complex traffic interactions, particularly when large commercial vehicles are involved.
Investigators might also evaluate whether the vehicles were merging, slowing, or maneuvering within the ramp area when the collision occurred. Determining lane positioning, speed, and right-of-way will be critical to understanding how the three vehicles came into contact.
The involvement of both a log truck and a semi-truck introduces additional considerations. Even though the log truck was reported to be unloaded, investigators need to examine braking capability, vehicle condition, maintenance history, and compliance with applicable state and federal regulations governing commercial motor vehicles.
When multiple commercial vehicles are involved in a crash, it is often necessary to evaluate each driver’s actions independently. As such, investigators also need to review driver qualifications, hours-of-service compliance, and any available onboard data to determine whether fatigue, distraction, or other operational factors contributed to the collision.
Authorities have not yet released details explaining how the crash happened. A comprehensive investigation will likely include analysis of physical evidence at the scene, vehicle damage patterns, electronic data, and witness accounts.
Careful reconstruction of the accident is particularly important in crashes involving law enforcement vehicles and commercial trucks, as multiple operational standards and safety considerations may be involved. Establishing what occurred requires a fact-based review of all available evidence.
Source: KATU
Collisions involving commercial trucks frequently involve technical and regulatory factors that differ from ordinary motor vehicle accidents. Evaluating these cases may require an understanding of commercial driving standards, carrier responsibilities, and the investigative process specific to large vehicle crashes.
Attorneys certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in truck accident law have demonstrated experience in handling complex commercial vehicle cases. Only a limited number of attorneys nationwide hold this certification. Tom D’Amore, founder of D’Amore Law Group, has more than 30 years of experience and is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This background can be particularly important when assessing serious commercial truck crashes in Oregon. If you or a family member has been involved in a similar incident, consider reaching out for a consultation.
