Crash on Interstate-5 Injures Three Motorcyclists

The serious injury motorcycle crash happened on Interstate 5 north of Salem‏. The cyclists were enroute to a funeral

Photos of some of the motorcycles involved in today's crash provided by Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - Three people were injured in a motorcycle crash Sunday on the freeway north of Salem. One of the riders was injured critically police say, in the multiple motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon on northbound Interstate 5. The scene was located about two miles north of Brooks.

Investigators say it happened around 1:35 PM, when a large group of motorcyclists were northbound on Interstate 5 as part of an organized ride to a reported funeral in the Portland area. The organized ride started in the Medford area and during it other motorcycles were joining in. Near milepost 265 northbound, 37-year old Patrick H. Lucas of Molalla, was on the northbound shoulder on his motorcycle, waiting to join the ride. According to witnesses, the group slowed down to allow Lucas to fall in the back of the pack, but he instead attempted to merge into the middle of the group.

Lucas' motorcycle collided with another motorcycle operated by 69-year old Jerry W. Worthington of Butte Falls, Montana. They both went down onto the highway. A third motorcycle operated by 60-year old John H. Jensen of Wilderville, Oregon collided with the first two motorcycles. A fourth motorcycle operated by 56-year old Patrick A Treece of Coos Bay, ran over the wreckage but was not injured.

Lucas and Jensen were transported by ground ambulance to Salem Hospital. Lucas reportedly has non-life threatening injuries. Jensen suffered more serious injuries.

Worthington was critically injured and transported by LifeFlight to Oregon Health Sciences University.

Police say all motorcyclists were wearing their crash helmets.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation. All lanes were closed about 15 minutes to allow for LifeFlight to land. The inside lane has been open but the center and right lanes were closed until being reopened about 6:15 PM.

Source: Oregon State Police.