Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on May 17, 2026, at approximately 9:17 a.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call of a head-on crash on Stayton Scio Road, near Stayton. It was reported the vehicles were blocking the bridge and occupants were trapped in the vehicle.
Deputies responded and found the bridge leading into Stayton from Linn County was blocked and fire personnel were extricating Daniel Harnden, 77 of Stayton, from his black Chrysler 300. Harnden was soon transported to Salem Hospital for serious injuries. Deputies then contacted the second operator, Christian Ramon-Carbajal, 31, of Woodburn, who was operating a Hummer H3. Ramon-Carbajal showed signs of impairment.
During the initial investigation, deputies learned Ramon-Carbajal was traveling south on Stayton Scio Road, when he struck a curb, then veered into the opposite lane of travel, striking Harnden head-on. Both vehicles sustained heavy front end damage.
Although serious, Harnden’s injuries appear non-life threatening.
Ramon-Carbajal sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Santiam Hospital for treatment. Deputies’ investigation showed Ramon-Carbajal was impaired while driving and was a contributing factor to the crash. Once released from the hospital, Ramon-Carbajal was transported to the Linn County Jail where he was lodged and charged with Assault II, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. He also received citations for Driving Without an Operator’s License and Fail to Use Ignition Interlock Device (IID).
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Stayton Police Department, Stayton Fire District, Sublimity Fire District, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Road Department, Santiam Hospital Paramedics and Linn County Road Department.