Fatal Crash on Highway 551 Involving Eugene Man Claims Two Lives



Clackamas County, Ore. – On Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 8:36 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a tragic two-vehicle crash on Highway 551 near milepost 1 in Clackamas County, involving a man from Eugene, Oregon.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Matthew Gene Rinehart, a 41-year-old Eugene resident, was driving a northbound Kia Forte when he attempted an unsafe pass in a designated "no passing" zone. This decision led to a head-on collision with a southbound Kia Soul, driven by Darci Ann Olivier, 37, of Wilsonville.

Tragically, both Rinehart, from Eugene, and Olivier were declared deceased at the scene. A 4-year-old female passenger in the Kia Soul sustained minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

The highway was closed for approximately four hours as authorities conducted an on-scene investigation, determining that unsafe passing was the primary cause of the crash.
The Oregon State Police were supported by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Aurora Fire Department, Woodburn Fire Department, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, and ODOT during the response and investigation.

About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU)
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) specializes in investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team is equipped with advanced training in measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for detailed crash scene analysis. The CRU includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists and technical investigators stationed throughout the state to provide expertise in complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes.

Information from Oregon State Police.

Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable updates to the local community. He runs the largest crime watch group in Lane County, Lane County Mugshots Uncensored, which currently has over 86,400 members. Support for local journalism is essential, and donations can be made via Venmo to @Michael-Weber-379 (last four digits of phone number: 0825).

You can also follow me on X: https://x.com/MugshotMike541 

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