Family sues ODOT, others for $111 million in deadly 2025 crash on Highway 26

A Washington family has filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and others, seeking more than $111 million in damages related to a deadly crash on Highway 26 in May 2025. Michelle Marie Moussan, 59, was killed in a head-on crash on Highway 26 in Clatsop County on the evening of May 24, 2025. Michelle’s husband, Bassam Moussan, and their two children, Matthew and Whitne, suffered serious injuries in the crash. READ MORE | Deadly crash on Highway 26 leaves 1 dead, 5 injured in Tillamook County According to the lawsuit, the Moussan family was traveling home from the Oregon coast in May 2024 after attending a memorial for their daughter and sister, who had died the year before. During the drive home, the family's vehicle was involved in a crash that claimed the life of the family's mother. The lawsuit alleges the collision occurred after one of the defendants crossed into an opposing lane of traffic. The family argues the crash could have been prevented if a median barrier had separated traffic traveling in opposite directions. The lawsuit also claims there have been dozens of crashes along the stretch of Highway 26 in recent years, raising concerns about safety on the busy route connecting the Portland metro area to the Oregon coast. KATU reached out to the family's legal team but did not receive a response before publication. People who work near the crash site say they frequently see emergency crews responding to incidents along the highway. "You always hear sirens going by here," said Wendi Hummel, who works near the area. "I mean, especially when the weather warms up." Hummel said ODOT has already made some changes to the roadway, including the installation of rumble strips last summer. "Yeah, they put those rumble strips in just this last summer, I believe," Hummel said. "So if you go out of your lane, it'll make the noise, it'll make the vibration." KATU also asked ODOT about plans to address safety concerns in the area. In a statement, the agency said it is developing a project that would install variable advisory speed signs, variable message signs, queue warning systems and advanced directional signage. According to ODOT, the project is intended to help maintain more consistent travel speeds, improve travel time reliability, reduce crashes and improve traffic operations. ODOT declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation. It's unclear when the case could go to trial. ODOT also said it does not yet have a timeline for when the proposed safety project could begin. The lawsuit lists as defendants the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash, Fred Camino of Seattle, as well as Nissan, Toyota, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.