Multi-Car Crash Closes Northbound I-5 in Salem for Two Hours Sunday

Only one person was transported by ambulance to the hospital and her injuries were not life-threatening.

Photos: Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - A multi-vehicle crash that injured at least one person, closed northbound Interstate 5 in the Salem area over two hours Sunday afternoon.

Police say that around 4:30 PM, a Nissan Pathfinder driven by 62-year old Lola Huish of Salem, was attempting to merge into heavy traffic in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 from the Kuebler Road on-ramp when it reportedly sideswiped an unknown commercial truck in the right northbound lane.

Investigators believe Huish braked as a 1998 Acura driven by 26-year old Vladuslav of Salem, was following her car.

That sudden stop apparently caused a northbound 2002 Peterbilt truck towing a flatbed trailer loaded with machinery, to rear-end the Acura. The truck was driven by 60-year old Willie Joe Hutchieson of Pacific, Washington

This car then sideswiped a 2005 Corvette that was in the left northbound lane.

The Peterbilt truck and trailer subsequently jackknifed and came to a stop blocking the northbound lanes, police said.

The Corvette collided with the Acura before both vehicles came to a stop blocking the left northbound lane. Huish received non-life threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital.

No other involved persons required transported from the scene to a hospital. Khokhlov may have been taken by a private party to an area hospital for a checkup.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Salem Area Command office are completing the investigation.

Other agencies lending a hand included Salem Fire and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Traffic was rerouted off Interstate 5 onto area side roads until it was reopened about 6:35 PM and resulted in an extensive backup and delays.