Stolen Car Suspect Dies in Fiery Crash

A suspect with no history of car theft perishes in a fiery 100 MPH crash.

Crash scene photos by Salem Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - One person died last night and another was arrested for Driving Under the Influence in a fiery crash that happened on Mission Street SE and I-5.

Lt. Steve Birr with Salem Police says the situation began and ended very quickly. At 11:35 PM, a Salem resident who lives in the 1700 block of Park Avenue NE called police to report that his 1989 Mustang convertible had been stolen. By 11:52 PM, the stolen Mustang was involved in the fatal crash.

"We took a report about the the stolen vehicle, issued an Attempt to Locate, our officer didn't even arrive at the complainants address until 11:54 PM." Birr says the 21-year old who stole the Mustang did not have a history of stealing cars, but he did have an apparent date with destiny.

"Ironically, we are installing photo light cameras in that area. The contractor saw the Mustang and was almost hit. He said it accelerated on Mission close to 100 MPH before crashing."

Birr says 21-year old Eric Gordon Monroe of Keizer apparently lost control on Mission while crossing over I-5.

"He t-boned a '99 Dodge Stratus with the 1989 Mustang convertible, crashing into a westbound intoxicated driver."

According to Birr, 32-year old Jennifer Susan Yarbrough of Salem was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"She in no way contributed, in fact she had almost stopped. When the Mustang struck her car it was shoved backward 25-30 feet."

As the photos show, the result of the impact was horrific. Birr said, "The Mustang jumped over her car and the driver was thrown from vehicle which burst into flames."

Eric Monroe was thrown clear of the burning car but died at the scene. Yarbrough was transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, then she was cited and released by police for DUII.