One Dies in Fiery Weekend Crash Near Lake Oswego

The driver of the Saab has been tentatively identified and next of kin have been notified.

Salem-News.com

(LAKE OSWEGO) - Police say one person was killed early Saturday morning in a two vehicle traffic collision on I-5 in Lake Oswego. It happened about 2:10 a.m. Saturday, September 12th,

Oregon State Police Sgt. Daniel Swift says troopers from Tualatin and Portland responded to the two vehicle collision on northbound I-5 near Exit 290 in Lake Oswego.

Swift says the initial investigation showed a 1998 Western Star tractor, driven by 36-year old David Watkins of Vancouver, Washington, was hauling a 2008 belly dump style semi-trailer northbound on I-5 approaching the Boone's Ferry offramp, when the vehicle was struck from behind by a 2001 Saab.

"The impact caused the Saab to overturn and catch on fire," Swift said.

"Although the semi-truck driver and another driver stopped and used fire extinguishers on the Saab, they were unable to extinguish the fire before the Saab was fully engulfed."

He says that after the fire was extinguished by fire crews from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, the driver and sole occupant of the Saab was located deceased within the car.

The driver of the semi-truck was not injured and is cooperating fully in the investigation, Swift said.

All northbound lanes of I-5 were closed for approximately one hour while rescue crews put out the fire. One lane was then opened while the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the crash. All northbound lanes were re-opened by 7:30 a.m.

OSP was assisted at the scene by TVF&R, Tualatin PD, ODOT, and the Washington County Medical Examiner's office.

The driver of the Saab has been tentatively identified at this time and next of kin have been notified. However, the name is being withheld pending identity confirmation through use of dental records.