Men Returning from Wedding Involved in Fatal Crash

There is no evidence that alcohol was a contributing factor.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - The investigation into Saturday night's fatal traffic crash that resulted in the death of a Marion County Sheriff's Deputy and another person is continuing.

The Marion County District Attorney's Office has authorized Oregon State Police to release additional names and information related to the ongoing investigation.

At approximately 11:26 PM Marion County Sheriff's Office Deputy Kelly Fredinburg was southbound on Highway 99E near milepost 35 with emergency lights and siren activated to assist a Gervais police officer on a call involving a physical dispute in the 1000 block of 5th Street.

In addition to Deputy Fredinburg, officers from Woodburn and Hubbard police departments were also enroute to assist Gervais police.

At least one other northbound vehicle began to pull onto the shoulder to yield to the deputy's patrol car when a northbound white 1998 Ford Crown Victoria with three occupants drove across the centerline into the southbound lane.

Both vehicles crashed head-on in the southbound lane then came to rest off the west side of the highway.

The deputy's patrol car overturned and caught fire. The other vehicle did not catch fire.

OSP investigators have confirmed the driver of the Ford Crown Victoria as Alfredo De Jesus Ascencio, age 20, from Woodburn, and that he has a valid Oregon operators license.

He was using safety restraints, was critically injured and was transported by ground ambulance to Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU). He reportedly remains in critical condition.

Right front passenger is identified as Oscar Ascencio Amaya, age 19, from Woodburn.

He was using safety restraints, was critically injured and extricated by fire personnel. He was transported by LifeFlight to OSHU. He died from his injuries early Sunday morning.

A third occupant in the right rear seat is identified as Daniel Alvarez De Jesus, age 24, who is reportedly from California.

He was reportedly was given a ride from the scene to Salem Hospital by a person he knew before responding officers identified his involvement.

Once at the hospital, police were notified and an OSP trooper responded to the hospital and confirmed his involvement.

Investigators learned the three occupants are related to one another and at the time of the crash they had been at a wedding in the Salem area and were returning to Woodburn.

There is no evidence that alcohol was a contributing factor.