Three Injured in DUII Related Crash West of Government Camp

The van's right front passenger reportedly saw the out-of-control driver coming, unbuckled his safety restraints and jumped into the back of the van just before impact.

Salem-News.com

(GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore.) - Oregon State Police say three people were injured and one driver is in custody following a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 26, about one mile west of Government Camp. The name of one person and some additional crash details have not yet been released by police.

State Police Spokesman Lt. Greg Hastings says preliminary information indicates that today at approximately 2:15 PM, a 2008 Nissan Armada sport utility vehicle driven by 48-year old Gregory Allen Arnason of SW Portland, was westbound on Highway 26 near milepost 52 when it crossed into the eastbound lanes and crashed nearly head-on with a 1990 Volkswagon Vanagon.

Arnason was not injured and was taken into custody for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving, police said.

The three van occupants received non-life threatening injuries and were transported by ambulance to Mt. Hood Medical Center in Gresham.

The van was driven by 33-year old Benjamin Dobler of NE Portland. Passengers are identified as 22-year old Matthew Butler and Sean Reynolds, both from Portland.

Police say Dobler attempted to avoid the out-of-control Nissan by steering to the left but his van was struck in the right front corner.

The van's right front passenger, Matthew Butler, reportedly saw the out-of-control Nissan coming, unbuckled his safety restraints and jumped into the back of the van just before impact.

Witnesses told lead investigating Senior Trooper Duane Larson that the Nissan was driving erratically southbound on Timberline Road before the crash.

Highway 26 was closed today until about 3:30 PM.

ODOT, Hoodland Fire Department and AMR Ambulance assisted police at the scene.