Oregon State Trooper Involved in Crash While Enroute to Grass Fire

The second driver was cited for not yielding to an emergency vehicle.

Photos of crash scene by Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon State Police say one of their troopers and another motorist received very minor injuries Sunday evening when they were involved in a two-vehicle crash southbound Interstate 5 in the south Salem area. At the request of OSP, Salem Police Department is completing the investigation.

Sergeant Dale Young with OSP says it happened Sunday at approximately 6:47 PM.

"OSP Trooper Steve Hinkle was in a marked OSP 2003 Ford Crown Victoria patrol with at least overhead emergency lights activated southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 248 on a report of a grass fire near milepost 242."

Lieutenant Gregg Hastings with OSP says the grass fire was discovered by one of their detectives driving in the area who had requested additional assistance.

He says that as the trooper was southbound in the left lane passing a 2006 Buick four-door in the right lane, the Buick started to change lanes and struck the right side of the OSP patrol car causing both vehicles to lose control. The OSP patrol car spun around and came to rest against the center median partially blocking the left lane. The Buick went off the freeway and came to a stop in some nearby trees.

Hastings says that 27-year old Trooper Steve Hinkle was using safety restraints and taken by another trooper to Salem Hospital where he was evaluated and released.

The Buick's driver, 65-year old Thomas L. Morehead of Albany, was using safety restraints and had minor injuries. He refused to be taken to a hospital.

Salem Police Department conducted the initial investigation and cited Morehead for Failure to Maintain a Lane of Travel and Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle.

ODOT and local fire personnel assisted at the scene. One southbound lane was closed about 90 minutes.