Head-on Collision Sends Two to Hospital

Fire fighters from Marion County exticated both drivers from their vehicles

Photo by: Oregon State Police

(SALEM) - Two people were seriously injured Tuesday morning after their vehicles collided head-on about four miles north of Brooks on Highway 99E. Oregon State Police troopers are investigating alcohol as a possible contributing factor in this crash.

On November 7th, 2006 at about 6:15 AM, a 1989 Ford Aerostar van driven by 34-year old Elizabeth Encarnacion-Lucero, from Woodburn, was southbound on Highway 99E near Topaz Road NE when it sideswiped a northbound 2000 Chevrolet pickup.

The van continued into the northbound lane where it crashed head-on with a 1996 Honda Accord driven by 27-year old Alberto Alvarez, from Salem.

Encarnacion-Lucero and Alvarez were both seriously injured and trapped in their vehicles.

Fire personnel from Marion County Fire District #1 extricated both drivers who were then transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital. Both drivers were using safety restraints.

The pickup's driver, 47-year old Kenneth Major, from Salem, was not injured.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation. No enforcement action has been taken.

OSP were assisted by Marion County Sheriff's Office and ODOT. The highway was reopened about 9:45 AM.