VIDA, Ore. — As reported by KEZI, a man and his two dogs are lucky to be alive after a harrowing incident on Highway 126 in Vida. A powerful windstorm sent trees crashing down, impaling his vehicle and leaving first responders stunned that anyone inside had survived.
The McKenzie Fire District is no stranger to emergencies along this scenic yet treacherous stretch of road. Sudden changes in conditions often catch drivers off guard, making accidents and road hazards a frequent occurrence. Lane Palahniuk, a responder with the McKenzie Fire District, was dispatched on February 24 after reports of a landslide in the area suggested multiple vehicles might be involved.
“To see the roof caved in through the whole front and a tree through it is kind of a different feeling,” Palahniuk said. “We were expecting to clear debris, cut fallen trees, and move rocks and mud, but thankfully, we didn’t need to perform an extraction.”
Witnesses reported that a line of cars had come to a halt when trees and rocks began tumbling down the steep hillside. This particular stretch of Highway 126 runs along an area ravaged by the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire, leaving the land unstable and prone to erosion.
For years, residents along the route have watched as debris, from loose tree limbs to massive boulders, has tumbled onto the highway, causing dangerous conditions for motorists.
“It’s just what happens here,” said Mike Vanbingenen, who lives near the Leaburg Dam where the incident occurred. “Trees fall, rocks come down, and it always seems to happen at that exact spot, right at milepost 24.”
While every accident is different, one thing remains the same: Highway 126 demands respect. The road’s beauty masks the lurking dangers created by dead trees, scorched soil, and loose rock hanging precariously above.
Tina Oyervides, a manager at Ike’s Pizza along Highway 126, says the storm’s impact was no surprise to those familiar with the area.
“The burn scars left no wind barrier, so when the wind picks up, it takes everything with it,” Oyervides said. “You can hear the trees crackling all around you—it’s eerie.”
Although efforts have been made to remove hazardous dead trees, residents say the risk remains high, and events like this serve as a grim reminder of the ever-present danger.
Miraculously, the driver’s two dogs survived the terrifying ordeal unscathed. However, the driver himself wasn’t as fortunate. A family friend revealed that he suffered a broken vertebra, leaving him paralyzed and unable to move his upper body. He is currently undergoing surgery, and his long-term prognosis remains uncertain.
“Thank God he survived,” Oyervides added. “But this just goes to show how dangerous this road is. We all know it.”
As the McKenzie River Valley continues to recover from the devastation of past wildfires, its residents remain on high alert, knowing that nature—beautiful yet unpredictable—always has the final say.
