Oregon State Police Car Slams into Semi Truck Trailer

The crash investigation is being conducted by Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(ASHLAND, Ore. ) - An Oregon State Police trooper luckily was not seriously injured early Monday morning when his patrol car crashed into the back of a semi-trailer that changed lanes in front of the trooper as he was attempting to overtake a high speed driver northbound on Interstate 5 north of Ashland.

The investigation is being conducted by Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

At approximately 12:26 AM, OSP Trooper Chris Walker was attempting to overtake a vehicle that was detected traveling 97 mph northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 15.

As Trooper Walker was in the left northbound lane negotiating a left curve, a 2006 Volvo commercial truck towing a semi-trailer moved from the right lane to the left lane in front of the trooper's marked patrol car.

Trooper Walker braked, slowing down to approximately 65 mph when his patrol car crashed into the back of the semi-trailer and became lodged underneath it.

The truck's driver, Stanley Leland, age 53, from Florida, reported feeling a jolt and then noted a vehicle lodged under the back of the semi-trailer.

Leland pulled over to the right shoulder and stopped, but not before the patrol car was dragged approximately 2,100 feet.

Trooper Walker was using safety restraints and received minor injury but was not transported for treatment.

Leland was not injured. A co-driver was in the truck's sleeper berth at the time and was also not injured.

The crash investigation is being conducted by Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

Trooper Walker, age 34, is assigned to the OSP Central Point Area Command office.