In Loving Memory of Scott Charles Caldwell and Curtis William Gammond: Two Lives Lost Too Soon

With heavy hearts, we remember Scott Charles Caldwell, 55, of Adams, Oregon, and Curtis William Gammond, 54, of Pendleton, Oregon, two log truck drivers whose lives were tragically taken in a devastating crash on Highway 204 in Union County. Their passing on Monday, October 26, 2026, has brought profound sadness to their families, friends, colleagues, and the wider communities that knew them.

Scott and Curtis were both working behind the wheel of Kenworth log trucks that morning when an unexpected chain of events led to a fatal collision near milepost 36.5, close to Elgin. According to the preliminary investigation by Oregon State Police, Scott was driving an unloaded log truck westbound when he swerved into the oncoming lane to avoid a deer. As he attempted to return to his lane, his truck became positioned sideways across the roadway and was struck by Curtis’s fully loaded eastbound log truck. The collision resulted in a fire, and tragically, both drivers were pronounced deceased at the scene.

In a matter of moments, two families were confronted with a heartbreaking loss that words can scarcely describe. Behind the names Scott Charles Caldwell and Curtis William Gammond were individuals whose lives mattered deeply to those around them. They were more than the drivers involved in a tragic highway collision; they were loved ones, friends, and members of their respective communities whose absence will be felt long after the road has reopened.

For Scott’s family in Adams and Curtis’s loved ones in Pendleton, the days ahead will undoubtedly be difficult. The suddenness of such a tragedy can leave families struggling to comprehend how an ordinary morning can become a life-changing moment. As they face the pain of saying goodbye, may they find comfort in the memories they shared, the love that continues to surround them, and the support of those who care.

The loss of two people in the same incident is a devastating reminder of how unpredictable life can be. The circumstances surrounding this crash are especially heartbreaking because the initial maneuver reportedly began as an attempt to avoid a deer. What followed became a tragedy that neither family should ever have to endure. While the investigation will help establish the circumstances of the collision, the most important reality remains the two lives lost and the families left grieving.

Oregon State Police responded to the crash at approximately 5:54 a.m. Emergency responders worked at the scene, and Highway 204 was affected for approximately seven hours while authorities conducted their investigation. The La Grande Fire Department, Elgin Rural Fire Department, and Oregon Department of Transportation assisted Oregon State Police during the response.

As the communities of Adams and Pendleton mourn Scott and Curtis, we extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, coworkers, and everyone whose lives they touched. May those grieving find strength in one another and comfort in the memories that will forever remain part of their lives.

Rest in peace, Scott Charles Caldwell and Curtis William Gammond. May you both be remembered with love, dignity, and compassion. Though your lives ended far too soon, your memories will continue to live in the hearts of those who loved you. May your families find peace in the days ahead, and may both of you rest eternally in peace.