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Nicholas Harris was driving west on U.S. 26 when a large alder tree fell onto the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser he was driving, the Oregon State Police said.

(The Oregonian/OregonLive/file)

A 37-year-old Portland man died Wednesday night from injuries suffered when a tree fell onto his car while he was driving on U.S. 26, troopers said.

Nicholas Harris was driving west on the highway when a large alder tree fell onto the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser he was driving, the Oregon State Police said in a news release. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which was about 10 miles from Seaside, troopers said.

Authorities responded to the scene, near milepost 5, at about 6 p.m., according to the news release. The highway was closed for about 2-1/2 hours while an investigation was being conducted, troopers said.

Lt. Bill Fugate, an Oregon State Police spokesman, said officials think the tree fell because of heavy winds.

Multiple other trees fell on coastal roads Wednesday, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The trees fell amid warnings for hurricane-force winds off the coast Wednesday night.

The crash is under investigation.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015