Week of Deadly and Serious Traffic Crashes Prompts Safety Message From Traffic Safety Team

Getting there safe is priority one.

(SALEM, Ore.) - "Our Deputies had a lot of very difficult conversations this last week with families who have lost loved ones or who had loved ones seriously injured in motor vehicle crashes.

"Please before you put the key into the ignition think of your family and the people you share the road with. Remember seat belt on, cell phones down, eyes up and hands on the wheel," said Marion County Traffic Safety Team Sergeant Todd Moquin.

• November 11th, 19-year old Joseph Spear is killed after he collided head on with an oncoming pickup truck on Howell Prairie Road NE.
• November 12th, 40-year old, Francisco Silva-Reyes is killed after he crosses the center line and collides head on with an oncoming passenger car on Cordon Road NE.
• November 17th, five people are injured after the Ford Taurus they are driving is struck head on by a West bound Kia passenger car on Hazelgreen Road NE near Torvend Road NE. The driver of the KIA, 48-year old Eric Espericueta, of Hubbard was passing unlawfully, on a hill after becoming involved it what Deputies described as a road rage incident with another driver. The east bound Taurus with five occupants who were all headed to work had no time to maneuver before being struck by the oncoming vehicle. The third vehicle a "brown car," rumored to be involved did not stop. Luckily none one was seriously hurt in the crash. Mr. Espericueta was cited and released for five counts of Reckless Endangering and one count of Reckless Driving, he is set to appear in court on December 8th.
• November 18th, a motorcyclist is critically injured after colliding with an oncoming pickup truck on Hazelgreen Road NE.
• November 20th at midnight, Enedice Moreno-Lopez, age 40 of Salem was driving her red, Kia Rio west on State Street when she ran a red light at Cordon Road NE. Ms. Moreno-Lopez subsequently ran underneath the trailer of a north bound semi-truck. The impact ripped the top of Ms. Moreno-Lopez's vehicle off, luckily no one was injured. Ms. Moreno-Lopez told Deputies she was tired after returning home from work and she did not see the red light.

Source: MCSO