ELSIE Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation into Monday afternoon’s single vehicle critical injury traffic crash along U.S. Highway 26 about eight miles east of Elsie.  

The crash injured Tyler Flowers, 19, of Vancouver, Wash.

Trooper Dennis Thomas said at 2 p.m., a passing motorist called to report observing a vehicle drive off the westbound shoulder of Highway 26 near milepost 27. 

The two-door car traveled about 10 feet down an embankment where it came to a stop with the driver trapped inside.  An off-duty paramedic arrived on scene about five minutes later, stopped and began rendering medical aid.

OSP troopers, Elsie Fire Department and Oregon Department of Transportation personnel responded. 

 Firefighters extricated Flowers from the vehicle and he was transported by ground ambulance to the rest area at milepost 28. 

LifeFlight responded and transported Flowers with critical injuries to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland. He is critical today.

Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle was westbound on Highway 26. For an unknown reason, it traveled off the highway crashing into a tree, troopers said.

Highway traffic was partially affected for about two hours.

OSP troopers from the Astoria Area Command office are continuing the investigation into the cause.