“Head-On Crash on U.S. 395 Leaves One Dead and Two Seriously Injured”
Hermiston, Oregon — U.S. Highway 395, near milepost 3.
A quiet Sunday morning turned into heartbreak on a rural stretch of U.S. 395, just outside Hermiston, Oregon, when two vehicles collided head-on, leaving one man gone and two others hospitalized. The crash, which occurred at approximately 9:24 a.m., involved a Volkswagen Passat driven by Tyler Garrett and another car carrying Jose Sanchez, 24, and Hadasa Sanchez.
According to the Oregon State Police (OSP), the collision took place near milepost 3 when Garrett’s northbound Volkswagen suddenly crossed the center line and entered the southbound lane. The oncoming vehicle, driven by Hadasa Sanchez, had no time to swerve or avoid impact. The force of the collision was devastating. The Volkswagen struck the other car head-on, crushing the front sections of both vehicles and scattering debris across the two-lane highway.
When first responders arrived, they found Jose Sanchez, a 24-year-old resident of Umatilla, in the passenger seat, unresponsive. Despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say the impact was so violent that Jose likely passed instantly, never having a chance to react. He had simply been a passenger that morning — riding beside his friend, Hadasa, as they headed south toward Hermiston.
Hadasa Sanchez, who was driving, sustained serious injuries but survived. Emergency crews worked carefully to extricate her from the wreckage before rushing her to a nearby hospital. She remains under medical care but is expected to recover. Family members have described her as “a fighter,” clinging to life despite the trauma she endured.
Tyler Garrett, the 27-year-old driver of the Volkswagen Passat, was also found severely injured. Paramedics transported him by air to a hospital in critical condition. As of the latest update, his condition remains serious. Authorities have not yet determined what caused Garrett’s car to drift across the center line, and investigators say it may take weeks to understand whether impairment, distraction, or fatigue played a role.
The crash shut down U.S. 395 for nearly five hours as OSP collision reconstruction experts examined the scene. They measured skid marks, collected debris, and mapped out the final positions of both vehicles to reconstruct the seconds leading up to impact. The investigation involves not only state police but also local fire departments and emergency medical teams from Umatilla County and Hermiston.
Witnesses who came upon the crash described a chaotic scene — twisted metal, smoke rising from the wreckage, and first responders working swiftly amid the debris. “It looked like both cars just exploded in the middle of the road,” said one driver who stopped to help before emergency crews arrived.
Jose Sanchez, described by friends as kindhearted and full of energy, was known for his easy smile and strong work ethic. A Umatilla native, he was deeply connected to his family and had plans to start his own business one day. Now, instead of looking forward to his future, his loved ones are planning a celebration of life to honor the young man whose journey ended far too soon.
As investigators continue to search for answers, grief hangs heavy in both Umatilla and Hermiston. Hadasa’s recovery brings hope, yet it cannot undo the loss that rippled through two families that day. The unanswered question — why Garrett’s vehicle veered into the wrong lane — continues to haunt everyone involved.
In a brief statement, OSP urged drivers to stay vigilant and remember how quickly moments on the road can turn fatal. “A few seconds of inattention or fatigue can change everything,” said one investigator.
For now, flowers mark the roadside near milepost 3, a small tribute to Jose Sanchez, who was simply riding in the passenger seat when everything went wrong. His family hopes his memory will serve as a reminder of the fragility of life — and the importance of every moment we share on the road.
May Jose Sanchez rest in peace.