Boy, 16, killed in truck crash on Highway 26
»Play Video
PORTLAND, Ore. – A 16-year-old Corbett boy was killed Friday night in a truck crash on Highway 26, police said.
The crash happened at around 7 p.m. east of Sandy.
Police said Jordan Scott Cox was driving a pickup truck on Firwood Road and stopped at Highway 26. He was attempting to cross the eastbound lanes of the highway to turn westbound when he drove into the path on an oncoming pickup truck pulling a trailer. The truck crashed into the driver’s side of Cox’s truck.
Cox was pronounced dead at the scene. It’s unclear if he was wearing a seat belt.
Cox was a junior at Sandy High School. He was on his way to a football game at the school.
Tracy Nerpel was also headed to the game. She witnessed the crash.
"They both hit each other. Our hearts stopped. We didn't know how to react," said Nerpel. "The sound, we'll never forget it. It will stay there forever."
Students at Sandy High School are organizing a memorial for Cox.
Two people were injured in the eastbound pickup truck. Their injuries were minor and they were not taken to a hospital, police said.
No charges have been filed at this time.
this is crazy Jordan was a one of a kind person he will me missed lots
Â
My boyfriend was killed in a horrific car accident almost 10 years ago and I will never forget some of the horrible things that were said about him because he was only 17 years old.Â
Let's all remember that whether he was inexperienced or not is really imaterial at this point. The crash happened and it probably could have happened to any one of us regardless of our age. The most important thing to remember is this young man's life and how he touched the people around him.
Having lost someone at such a young age it is so important to support his friends and family because they do have a long road of healing to go through.
My thoughts and Prayers go out to this Family!
 @LindsayHarris I agree with you!
Thank you Linsay Harris I hope that everyone that commented negative remarks will read this and re-respond.
My condolence to Jordans family...I know what they are going through. My son also died in a car accident in Brightwood three years ago.  Its painful ... Nobody should judge this young mans age or life. He was probably a very good driver and a tragic split moment happened. It was a mistake,we all make them. Unfortunatly. I read good and terrible insults on my sons tragic wreck.  I was furious and so hurt by these comments that it brought more sadness that my son wasn't here to defend himself let alone those people who wrote them didn't even know him..my son was a wonderful young man. And Jordan is a wonderful young person,even tho I didn't know him. Be kind. This is never a time to judge...never.
Well put. Thank you
@sundowner an inexperienced driver? Car accidents happen everyday of all ages. And to say its his fault because a "lack" of judgement on speed? The person that hit him was speeding, and to say that it's his fault because you think it's the lack of judgement on speed or saying he was in a rush, sickens me! You weren't there, to fault someone's death is disturbing. That corner has been known for its accidents, and if people are saying no to putting a light up there, why? Impatient much? Your comments disgust me.
My wife and I were on our way home just up the road from Firwood the night of this accident and it was a horrific sight. Our hearts and prayers go out to the teens family. For those who say a stop light needs to be installed at the Firwood Rd & Hwy 26 intersection I disagree. Those of us who are locals know that you either have to be patient when turning west toward Sandy or better yet drive the back road into town. Maybe instead of a light maybe ODOT should change the Firwood & Hwy 26 intersection the way they did the Kelso & Hwy 26 intersection, no left turn there. That didn't make local folks happy either but did cut down on accidents.
 @Labhunters ODOT NEEDS to put a light there and I am a local
Â
@Labhunters I agree maybe not a light but somethig needs to be done. I am local here too, have lived here my whole life....... Something needs to be done.
This is a heartbreaking story about a tragic accident, likely the result of an inexperienced (age 16) driver lacking the ability to adequately judge speed/distance.....sadly, he was resposible for his own death.  But this is a news story, not a memorial, whether we like it or not. In reading all the comments, I don't see where anyone is being disrespectful to the family by pointing out it was his own fault.  As for the intersection, I don't think a light is needed at that spot any more than other spots where roads intersect with Hwy 26, a road I drive often.  If that were the case, there would be traffic signals at every intersection between Sandy and Madras. Due caution needs to be exercised.
You are right on. Combine and inexperienced driver who is rushing to get to a game with a busy highway and you will end up with a mess.Â
Â
Like it or not, the kid was at fault. Hopefully this will be a lesson to all the other kids in the area. I've made that turn hundreds of time. It takes some patience but I've managed to go my whole life without causing an accident there.
@Sundowner Really? Why would you say even bring up the fact that it may have been his fault at a time like this. Obviously you don't have children of your own and if you do I feel sorry for them. How about respect and empathy for what this family is going through instead of pointing fingers. How ignorant !
Why would I bring that the accident was his fault? Because the article clearly states it -- I wasn't making it up.  As I said, this is a NEWS forum, not a memorial site. I have absolute SYMpathy for the family and his loved ones and friends. I can't have EMpathy, because I've never lost a child, but I can certainly imagine this is the most painful time of their lives. If you want to vent your anger at how this story was reported, go after LE who investigated it and news programs that reported it. BTW, there's nothing "ignorant" or disrespectful about recounting how an incident went down.....you may not like hearing it at this time, but the intersection didn't cause the accident, the other vehicle didn't cause the accident. And I re-state the obvious: This is a news forum, not a memorial site.
@Sundowner Between sandy and madras there is not many. I drive this road everyday pass shorty's corner m-f to go to work it is a bad intersection that needs a light I lived here my whole life and have seen many people die at this spot. If you drive by u will a cross of someone who has died. Caution does need to be taken but how many lives before they make it safer. A school mate of mine died at the kelso intersection andy hwy 26 and how has that changed because of that.
I disagree. This is a busy 4-lane highway where a small side road intersects with it....heavy truck and car traffic 24/7 on Hwy 26. By their very nature, highways have few signals, and this isn't the place for one. Scary and dangerous intersection? Definitely. Personally, I avoid left turns onto 4-lane highways and almost always turn right until I can safely head back in the direction I want to go. Takes a few more minutes, but so far, so good.
@Sundowner Well we all have our own opinions, This side road is traveled daily by school bus and people that live down that way. Just think something needs to be done about it. If not a light something more for that intersection to be safe!
@Sundowner   VERY well stated.
My heart goes out to the Cox family and this tragedy that has taken the life of a very special boy. Jordan Cox. They have needed to put a light at that corner for years. Many tragedies have happened there and yet we have cold hearted people that post negative comments on here. Shame on you !!! and when tragedy strikes your family I hope you don't have to read the mean and negative remarks people make about your loved one. FOR HEAVENS SAKE HAVE A HEART PEOPLE !!!!!
My thoughts and prayers to Jordan's familiy and friends. What a tragic loss of a young life. So very sad, I'm so sorry.
Jordan, my bestfriend. I miss you so much buddy, i want you back!
I cant believe that my Facebook Event Page was on the news. If it wasnt for the people that knew Jordan, none of this would be happening. All I have to say is thank you, just thank you to everyone!
Â
man to think I will not see Jordan at the game's or school an more its hard to think an know that he is not with us no more. I feel for the family yes sandy is small people know people an he will b missed by all of us family an friend's my love an heart goes out to them all R.I.P. Jordan we love you so much an will be missed so much we had good time's together hehe he was an amazing kid as well brother,friend,son an many other things he was this may sound bad but not trying to think about it this way at least he did not sit there in misery on the way to the Hospital that sounds so bad but i wouldn't want him in pain I don't think either of us would want that Jordan we love you so much you will always be with us. an as for sandy i hope they put in a light there to help Avoid stuff from happening This just reminds me to love each moment you have with some one because they can be gone the next just like that Jordan you where a grate kid love you're friend's an family.
RIP Jordan.,... We all miss you so much :'(
Jordan will be missed here in Sandy </3
ODOT will not put a light in at that spot until enough people die
If one reads KATU comments enough, you would suspect that the only people who get into auto accidents are those under 21 and those over 70. Apparently 40 year olds never cause accidents. Since I'm in my 40's, I suppose that's good to know!
Terrible story. Â I see kids driving like idiots more often than I'd like, and of course they think they are invincible. Â Pulling out in front of someone else who is moving pretty fast is a stupid, impatient move, and he's bad the worst price with his life. Â I'm sorry for the family and the people in the truck he pulled in front of. Â Hope other kids hear this and change their driving habits for the better. Â
Â
Yes of course I have 'been to that intersection'. Â So have thousands of other people, and we made a different choice. Â I'm not cold or heartless, I think his situation is sad. Â I also have a young son and if he made that choice, it too would be a stupid tragedy. Â Pointing that out hardly makes me stupid. Â Like someone else said, this isn't a memorial, but I feel badly for the kid and his loved ones. Â It is a terrible situation. Â Settle down.
@fxholeatheist That comment was very cold. How could you post that when you know his family will be reading this. YOU are the STUPID one.!!!!!
 @fxholeatheist Have you been to that intersection? Many people...young and old have been hurt or died there. Try to keep comments positive and encouraging...this event has impacted a lot of people.Â
 @fxholeatheist I agree.  It is tragic to hear of a bright young life cut short.  One of the most difficult things to teach inexperienced young drivers is to be able to judge relative speeds.  That and sheer patience. Â
Rest in peace young man. You're with God now. So sad.
This just breaks my heart. This is a bad section of hwy 26. I have lived in sandy my whole life and agree that there needs to be a light here. Even wen I went to firwood shool I always worried bout crossing the hwy even on the school bus. I just wis the city would see that this is a problem spot. My heart goes out to his family and friends. This a small town and everyone knows everyone. What can we do to get the word out that this is  a BAD spot on this hwy they call blood alley.................
 @Sara SwitzlerÂ
Â
Oh tear tear... Theres to many lights the way it is. People justy need need to learn how to drive.
@JTmoney2424 @Sara Switzler You belong in hell !!!
 @Teri Wilkinson This was for the other perons I hope and not me. They didnt approve what I wrote last time so I let them have it.
I feel sorry for the occupants of the truck and trailer to have to go through this experience. Kids - you need to be more patient!! It's a sad thing that a young boy died - perhaps his friends and others can learn from his tragic accident. Yes, hwy 26 may be a busy road, but if ya wait long enough, you will get a clearing sufficient to proceed without cutting off another driver.
This comment has been deleted
My heart goes out to the family of this young guy!!! Rip!
People die every day. While I expect his family and friends are upset, this isnt much of a surprise to see a young man die in a car crash. Perhaps he was driving and not paying attention to the road? Who knows. I am sure more information plays into this story, or he may have been on the cell phone, and in that case, its no ones fault but his.
@Roy Garcia Are you serious? you can sit there and speculate on this boys life being taken in such a tragic way? Shame on you !!! what will you say when its a family member of yours that dies in a tragic accident?
 @Roy Garcia For your information he wasn't pn the cell phone. Why can't you people have any kindness for another human being!!!  Why do people always want to hurt others, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Â
@kazimme @Roy Garcia People in these forums think they're police investigators or reporters for the news channels sometimes, kazimme....until it happens to someone they love, they'll continue to "blame the victim."Â SMH at heartless people.
@Debicakes928 It actually has happened to me, my cousin James. He wasnt the driver, yet himself and all his friends were under the influence at the time, and thus it was his own fault. Was I sad that he died, yes. But again, it was his own fault.
@kazimme It doesnt say he was or was not on the phone, I am rather just questioning. You do not know if he was or was not on a cell either. And to be frank, my post should not offend anyone. And, if it does that is not my problem. Kazimme, I have enough kindness for many people, but it is not MY fault that some drivers think they can break the traffic laws, or are not patient or have good enough judgement while driving.
 @Roy Garcia The road the Jordan was turning onto is a very dangerous road. There is always a lot of traffic, yet there is only a flashing red light to let cars turn onto the highway, no stoplight. The cars heading east come around a corner quickly and you can't always see them very well. I've lived in Sandy my whole life and there has been TONS of crashes because this road, Maybe Jordan should have payed a little better attention, but the road is definitely to blame as well. I would think that after this many crashes at the same intersection, a light would be installed.Â
 @LaurenNoelle  @Roy Garcia How come no one has lobbied to have a stop light put there? Seems kind of pertinent.Â
@LaurenNoelle    Sorry, but a road is an inanimate object and therefore cannot CAUSE a driver to pull out in front of another driver.
 @LaurenNoelle  @Roy Garcia Thanks Lo! We all know how dangerous that road is especially at night when it's super hard to see...
You will be missed by so many Jordan. We love you.