Driver Charged in I-5 Crash on Sunday

The driver, however, remains in critical condition at a Portland hospital.

A view inside the Marion County Jail, Jose Francisco Velasquez-Luz was lodged here after being released from Salem Hospital

(SALEM) - The Oregon State Police have charged the driver in a vehicle accident on I-5 on Sunday afternoon.

Sgt. Dale Young says around 2:00 PM, a red 1194 Ford Ranger pickup was northbound on I-5, when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle.

That caused the Ranger to lose control and roll over, covering all 3 lanes of I-5, coming to rest on the right hand shoulder of the road.

The other vehicle sustained minor damage and the occupants were not injured Young said.

The driver of the Ford Ranger, 39-year-old Jose Francisco Velasquez-Luz, and the passenger, 45-year-old Alberto Martinez-Aracen, both from Keizer, were transported by ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital.

Martinez-Aracen was treated for a broken arm and released from Salem Hospital.

As of May 16th, Velasquez-Luz is still in critical condition at Legacy Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, but is expected to survive.

Velasquez-Luz will be charged with DUII, Reckless Driving, 6 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Second Degree Criminal Mischief and Fourth Degree Assault Young said.

OSP Salem Area Command is continuing to investigate the crash.