Fatal Traffic Crash - Interstate 5 Southbound north of Eugene

Police say the 51-year old male driver, a California resident, was critically injured and transported from the scene by ambulance.

Salem-News.com

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Police say one person was killed and three others received non-life threatening injuries after a pickup crossed the center median of Interstate 5 about ten miles north of Eugene and was in a collision with two other vehicles.

The southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were reopened about 3:10 PM. No names are available for release at this time.

Preliminary investigation by Oregon State Police troopers indicates that today at approximately 12:14 PM, a 2003 Ford pickup driven by the victim was northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 208 when, for an unknown reason, it crossed through the center median and spun into the southbound lanes.

A 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser in the left southbound lane crashed into the back of the pickup. After impact, a southbound pickup following the Chrysler crashed into the left rear corner of the Chrysler.

The Ford pickup and Chrysler PT Cruiser came to rest in the southbound lanes. The third involved vehicle came to a stop in the center median. No occupants of the third vehicle were injured and its driver was able to drive away from the scene after being interviewed.

Police say the 51-year old male driver, a California resident, was critically injured and transported from the scene by ambulance. He died enroute to Sacred Heart Hospital.

The three occupants of the Chrysler, an female adult and two female children, received non-life threatening injuries. They were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Springfield Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Linn County Sheriff's Office, Harrisburg Fire Department and ODOT assisted at the scene.