Woodburn Man Killed Along I-5 Friday Night

Alcohol is being investigated as a possible contributing factor on the victim's part.

Salem-News.com

(AURORA) - A Woodburn-area man died Friday evening after he and his car were struck by another vehicle northbound on Interstate 5 about one mile south of the Donald/Aurora interchange.

Initial investigation indicates the victim was standing next to the driver's door of his stopped car in the inside northbound lane at the time of the crash.

Oregon State Police spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings says at approximately 9:05 PM, a 1999 Ford Mustang driven by 18-year-old Lynzie Olson, from Albany, was northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 277 in the inside lane when it crashed into the rear of a stopped 1994 Nissan Sentra.

For an unknown reason the Nissan did not have any lights on as it was stopped in the inside northbound lane, but its driver, 24-year-old Fredi Cruz-Vasquez, from Woodburn, was apparently standing outside his car next to the driver's door at the time of the crash Hastings said.

After impact, both vehicles came to rest blocking most of the northbound freeway lanes.

Cruz-Vasquez was found deceased on the ground away from his car.

Olson was using safety restraints and received minor injuries.

She was transported to Meridian Park Hospital where she was treated and released.

Oregon State Police troopers from Salem and Tualatin offices, with the assistance of an OSP crash reconstructionist, are continuing the investigation.

ODOT and local emergency responders assisted at the scene. An inside freeway shoulder lane was reopened about 10:00 PM to help traffic continue through the area.

All lanes were reopened by 12:30 AM.