Crash Temporarily Closes Southbound I-5 in Salem

The southbound lanes were completely blocked for about 30 minutes while fire personnel extricated two occupants.

Photo of crash on I-5 in Salem: Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - Police say two people received minor injuries Friday morning in a collision between their car and a motorhome southbound Interstate 5 at the Portland Road interchange in Salem.

Oregon State Police Sergeant Bob Charpentier says today at approximately 11:55 a.m. a Ford Taurus driven by 29-year old Lucas Penrose of Salem, was attempting to get onto the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 from the Portland Road onramp.

"Penrose lost control while driving too fast for the conditions, crossed two lanes of travel and collided into the front of a southbound motorhome. After initial impact, the Ford bounced under and across the left side of the motorhome." Charpentier says the southbound lanes were completely blocked for about 30 minutes while fire personnel extricated the Ford's two occupants. Penrose and passenger, 26-year old Cheryl Fleck of Salem, were transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital with minor injuries.

The motorhome's driver, 60-year old William Heater of Washington State, was not injured.

After extrication, two southbound lanes were opened for traffic and all lanes were open around 1:00 p.m.

OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office are completing the investigation, Charpentier said. No enforcement action taken at this time. Safety restraint use information is not available. The Salem Police Department, Salem Fire Department and ODOT assisted at the scene.

(Editor's note: The names on this story were corrected, we had stated that the 29-year old male was 19, and that the 26-year old woman was 62. We apologize for the error.)