Teen Girl Survives Fatal Traffic Crash on I-5 North of Albany (UPDATE)

61-year old James Paul Marlowe Jr, died in the crash and 17-year old Levi Brown was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

(ALBANY, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a single vehicle fatal traffic crash north of Albany that happened along the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 at approximately 1:15 p.m.

Lieutenant Mark Cotter with Oregon State Police in Albany, says 61-year old James Paul Marlowe Jr. was transporting a female student passenger for the Greater Albany Public School District as part of a special program in the Salem/Keizer school district.

Cotter explains that Marlowe was driving a 2006 Ford E150 van registered to the Greater Albany Public School District, when he lost control of the vehicle while moving southbound on Interstate 5 passing the off ramp at the Jefferson interchange, Exit 237.

\"For an unknown reason the van traveled off the right shoulder into a grassy area where it struck a dirt embankment and went airborne. The van\'s roof struck an overpass cement pillar and came to rest on its wheels facing north on the southbound shoulder,\" Cotter said.

James Marlowe was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was using safety restraints. Next of kin notification was completed with the help of Chaplain Todd Pynch from Crisis Chaplaincy Service.

The 17-year old female student, Levi Brown, was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, according to Cotter.

The Jefferson Fire District personnel, Linn County Sheriff\'s Office and ODOT assisted at the scene. Traffic was restricted to one lane for about one hour before all lanes were re-opened.

An Albany school district representative responded to the scene to assist with the OSP investigation conducted by troopers from Albany and Salem offices.

Salem-News.com Top Stories

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

rewilding LA: Matilija Dam History and Ecosystems

One Killed and Two Injured in Shooting Near South Salem High School

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Friend June 14, 2009 3:42 pm (Pacific time)

i ride the van with levi and i could have been on that van on that day with levi

Dalton.(cousin) June 13, 2009 5:18 pm (Pacific time)

she is o.k. and home safe. just some broken arms.

her friend June 12, 2009 4:18 pm (Pacific time)

i know her! she's one of my friends :[ i haven't talked to her in awhile though :[ and then i heard this happened...omg i'm gunna cry! i'm just glad she will be okay :] phewww whatta reliefe!

Daniel Johnson June 12, 2009 1:00 pm (Pacific time)

Here in Canada we have what is called the Young Offenders Act. If a person under age of 18 is involved in a crime, it is illegal to make their name public. In all non-criminal cases, accidents, etc., the media have leeway as to whether names are reported. If the family asks that a name be kept private, then the police will not release it. But if a reporter learns the name from another source, they are not breaking any laws by reporting it.

Anonymous June 12, 2009 8:14 am (Pacific time)

agreed with first comment ^^^^^^^^^^

concerned person June 12, 2009 2:33 am (Pacific time)

You don't really need to put a minor's name on this. I'm sure you don't even have her mom's permission to do so.

Editor: Are you in Russia or something? You might educate yourself just a little as to how things work here in the states. Our tax dollars provide the funds that allow police to respond and investigate in the first place. Salem-News like other media groups, runs names when they are provided by the police.

[Return to Top]