Alabama Man Dies in Crash on Highway 58 East of Oakridge

One man survived because another driver pulled him from his burning truck cab.

Photo of crash: Oregon State Police

(OAKRIDGE, Ore.) - One person was killed Tuesday morning after the vehicle he was operating crossed into the opposite lane on Highway 58 about twelve miles east of Oakridge and collided with a commercial truck.

Oregon State Police Sergeant Lang Hinkle says The truck's driver was pulled to safety by another commercial driver after the truck caught fire following impact. The victim's name is withheld pending next of kin notification.

He says that around 10:40 AM this morning, a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder driven by the 23-year old male victim from Alabama was westbound on Highway 58 near milepost 48 rounding a sweeping left curve when it crossed into the eastbound lane into the path of a 2002 Freightliner pulling a flatbed semi-trailer.

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The truck, operated by 55-year old Jerry Dean Smith of Monroe, steered to the right shoulder to avoid the Nissan but both vehicles collided nearly head-on, Hinkle said.

This is the fatal crash vehicle that struck the semi head on

"The impact caused the Nissan to spin around to the north shoulder where it rolled at least once. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene."

The Freightliner truck and semi-trailer overturned in the crash, trapping Smith inside the cab as it caught fire.

Hinkle says a truck driver from the same company, Doug Hudson Trucking Company out of Monroe, was following Smith when the crash occurred. 53-year old Maynard M. McCaul of Junction City, stopped, kicked out a window and pulled Smith to safety.

Smith was transported to an unidentified hospital for an evaluation.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Oakridge work site are continuing the investigation. Speed and failure to drive on the right side of the highway are possible contributing factors in this crash.

ODOT, Oakridge Fire Department and a hazardous materials response crew assisted at the scene. All lanes were closed for about 3 1/2 hours before one lane was opened to traffic. All lanes were opened by about 3:30 PM.