AFT-Oregon staff member Deirdre Mackey and her daughter were killed Christmas Day in a car crash on Highway 26 in Wasco County.
Mackey, a resident of Lake Oswego, was driving eastbound when her Nissan Versa lost traction and crossed into the path of an oncoming Subaru Outback. Deirdre, 48, and her daughter, Grace, 12, died at the scene. Two people in the Subaru were taken to a Portland hospital for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening. Highway 26 was closed or limited to one lane for more than 10 hours. Investigators believe driving too fast for the wintry conditions was a factor in the crash.
Mackey was a program coordinator and financial specialist at American Federation of Teachers-Oregon. She also was a volunteer for Labor’s Community Service Agency’s annual Presents from Partners holiday party.
