Highway 18 Crash Seriously Injures Three

One driver has been charged with numerous crimes in what police describe as an alcohol-related crash.

(GRAND RONDE) - Oregon State Police troopers were called out early Sunday morning to investigate a two-vehicle head-on crash on Highway 18 about four miles east of Spirit Mountain that seriously injured three people.

OSP says at approximately 12:45 AM, a red 1991 Toyota Corolla driven by 38-year-old Sean McCulloch, from Willamina, was westbound on Highway 18 near milepost 27 when it veered across the centerline into the eastbound lane.

A third eastbound vehicle, a white 1999 Mercedes C230 driven by 72-year old Ung Lam, from Tigard, was struck head-on by the Toyota.

Due to his injuries, McCulloch was cited to appear in court for DUII, Reckless Driving, Assault in the Third Degree (2 counts), and Recklessly Endangering Another Person (6 counts).

Lam and his passenger, 65-year-old Ahn Bui, from Tigard, were using safety restraints and both were seriously injured.

There were no OSP troopers on duty in this patrol area at the time of the crash so they had to be called out from their homes to investigate.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Sheriff's Office, West Valley Fire Department, and ODOT.

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KL February 7, 2007 3:24 am (Pacific time)

My Mother was Almost killed in this accident by a Drunk Driver with 2.5 times the legal alcohol limit, so I am outraged. I'm sure the Police and Firefighter did the best they could. She's still in serious condition a may not be able to walk again. It is sad and makes me very angry!

agreed; February 4, 2007 7:27 pm (Pacific time)

I can just picture officer Hathaway of the OSP shaking his head., officer Duran stifling laughter., and officer Page already suspicious of alcohol involvement. They busted me before and helped me to understand the consequences of my own behavior. It isn't their fault there aren't more of them.,or their fault if we go out after midnite to a gambling casino and crash our cars in the process.

The Editor February 4, 2007 7:19 pm (Pacific time)

Nobody is trying to blame anyone for anything. The point merely illustrates the fact that the number of state troopers on the road is low at this point in time. Their presence or lack of one had no bearing on whether this crash could have been prevented.

anon. February 4, 2007 7:08 pm (Pacific time)

so what does the trooper do?.,drive for the presumed qualified operator? I'm barely on the good side of the State Patrol but this is uncalled for to blame them for somebody elses "accident", and I'd say the Confederated Tribes are getting us back!

Curmudgeon February 4, 2007 11:48 am (Pacific time)

Would this accident have been prevented if there had been a trooper on duty in this area? Probably not, because it would have been just a stroke of luck for him to be in the right place at the right time to catch this guy before he crashed. But it's disgraceful that when something like this happens in a heavily traveled area there are no troopers available, and we have to call and get them out of bed to respond. I could understand that in the outback of Wheeler County, where the entire county's population would barely fill a Burger King, and at any point between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m there might be one car moving in the entire county. But here in the Willamette Valley, or any other heavily populated area of the state, it is absolute lunacy. I'm sure OSP has been begging for more troopers. It's obvious that the governor has been asking for more for several years. But our illustrious, bickering, do-nothing legislature . . . . I'll stop before I say something rude.

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