Driver Cited After Crashing Into Unoccupied State Police Car South of Roseburg

A recruit officer is narrowly missed by a pick-up while investigating two other crashes in I-5.

Photos by: Oregon State Police

(ROSEBURG) - An Oregon State Police recruit trooper escaped injury Tuesday afternoon when his unoccupied patrol car was struck by a pickup as he was investigating two non-injury traffic crashes on Interstate 5 south of Roseburg.

Investigators say the pickup's driver was cited on multiple traffic violations and the OSP patrol car was extensively damaged.

Tuesday at approximately 3:38 PM, Oregon State Police Recruit Brian Assmus was outside of his Ford Crown Victoria patrol car investigating two non-injury crashes southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 116. The patrol car was parked on the right shoulder of the freeway.

As Recruit Assmus was on the freeway shoulder about 200 feet in front of the patrol car, a 1977 Ford pickup driven by 45-year old Jeffery Green of Myrtle Creek, lost control on a reportedly slick section of highway. The Ford pickup slid from the left to right lane and struck the driver's side of the patrol car.

Green was not injured. He was cited for No Operators License, No Liability Insurance, and Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle. Police say he was not under the influence of intoxicants.

Recruit Assmus had responded to the previous two crashes both believed to be associated with an unknown slick substance on the highway. No other vehicles were struck by the pickup.

While at the scene investigating the crashes with the assistance of ODOT, another vehicle disregarded traffic cones set up to control traffic. ODOT workers pointed out the vehicle and it was contacted by Assmus. The driver had no identification and was arrested for Failure to Present / Carry a Driver's License. He was transported the Douglas County Jail.

Truck driven by 45-year old Jeffery Green