April 17, 2026 6:10 a.m. 

A Coquille woman died in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 101 in Bandon on Wednesday.

An Oregon State Police report said troopers responded at about 2:50 p.m. The preliminary investigation indicated that a vehicle operated by 78-year-old Bernard Cooley of Bandon, was traveling northbound in the southbound lane when it nearly collided with a Bandon Police Department patrol vehicle and another passenger car. The Bandon police officer activated the patrol cars overhead lights and turned around to stop the wrong-way driver. While the patrol car was trying to catch up, the other vehicle struck the southbound guardrail and veered back into the southbound lane. The vehicle then collided head-on with a southbound SUV, operated by 18-year-old Mariah Mayfield.

Mayfield was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the vehicle that caused the accident was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. Highway 101 was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Bandon Police Department, Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Bandon Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.