Violent crash on Astoria bridge kills man, another hurt

ASTORIA, Ore. - A fatal head-on collision closed the bridge connecting Astoria to Southwest Washington for several hours Wednesday morning.

Oregon State Police said a 2003 Hyundai driven by 27-year-old Nolan Neal Benson of Long Beach, Washington, was northbound on the Highway 101 Astoria-Megler Bridge when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a southbound 2003 Toyota pickup driven by Chris Levno, 57, of Kelso. 

The crash took place just before 5:30 a.m.

After the impact, police said the pickup came to rest partially on the guardrail and the Hyundai came to a stop in a traffic lane. Benson was killed in the collision.

Levno suffered serious injuries and was taken first to Columbia Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

Police closed the bridge, a primary connector between the coastal Oregon town and Southwest Washington, for several hours while the mangled vehicles were cleared and the crash site investigated.

Police said both drivers were wearing seatbelts. No other information was released.