Salem Resident Dies in Early Morning Ice Related Crash

Excessive speed and icy conditions have been identified as contributing factors in this fatal crash.

Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office

(SALEM, Ore.) - A Marion County deputy driving home from work this morning was the first person at the scene of a crash involving two vehicles that left a 24-year old Salem resident dead.

This morning at 7:34 AM, Deputy Ryan Postlewaight came across the two vehicle head on crash at Vitae Springs Road S. approximately 1/2 a mile south of the Skyline Road S. intersection.

Jason Myers with the Marion County Sheriff's Office says Deputy Postlewaight used his portable radio to notify dispatch of the crash, requested fire and medical respond to the scene, and began assisting the injured persons involved in the crash.

"Fire and medical arrived on the scene and determined that the driver and sole occupant of a 1989 Honda Accord had died as a result injuries sustained in the crash."

Myers says the driver of this vehicle has been identified as 24-year old Anjuli Woodward of Salem. The driver and passenger of the second vehicle, a 2007 Ford F-350 Pick-up, were both transported to the Salem hospital for possible injuries.

The driver of the pick-up has been identified as 53-year old Michael McDowell of Independence and the passenger of this vehicle has been identified as 56-year old JoAnne McDowell, also of Independence.

The preliminary investigation into this crash has revealed that the 1989 Honda accord was traveling eastbound on Vitae Springs Road and left its lane of travel. The 1989 Honda Accord impacted the 2007 Ford F-350 Pick-up which was westbound on Vitae Springs Road in it's proper lane of travel.

Investigators believe excessive speed and icy conditions have been identified as contributing factors in this crash.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office and other area Law Enforcement agencies responded to several crashes this morning as a result of the icy road conditions. The Sheriff's Office would like to remind motorists to please be attentive to the current weather conditions. Areas of higher elevation, overpasses, and less traveled roadways are often the first places where ice begins to form.