A 20-year-old Forest Grove man was killed Monday evening in a multi-vehicle crash on westbound Highway 26 between SE Cornelius Pass Road and NW 185th Avenue, according to the Hillsboro Police Department (HPD).
Carlos Andres Marquez-Vargas
Officers responded to the scene shortly after the collision and found the motorcycle rider in the roadway. Despite lifesaving efforts, the rider—identified as Carlos Andres Marquez-Vargas—had sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary findings indicate that Marquez-Vargas rear-ended another westbound vehicle, causing him to lose control and become separated from his motorcycle. He was subsequently struck by two additional westbound vehicles, police said.
All drivers involved remained at the scene and are cooperating with investigators. Authorities believe speed was a contributing factor in the crash.
The Washington County Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) responded to assist with the investigation. CART is a multi-agency team made up of specially trained law enforcement officers from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, and Tualatin Police Departments, with support from the Washington County District Attorney’s Office.
Westbound Highway 26 was closed for approximately six hours as investigators examined the scene and collected evidence.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has additional information is asked to contact Officer Jim Ruiz or Sergeant Paul Hess at 503-681-6175, referencing HPD case #25-20832.
The investigation remains ongoing.