Salem I5 Crash Update

Interstate 5 northbound lanes near milepost 254 are open following this afternoon's fatal traffic crash - More information will be released later this date

PHOTO: Jerry Freeman

(Salem, Oregon) - UPDATE: Two lanes are now open northbound on I-5 near Mission Street in Salem. Heavy congestion. Expect delays

One lane is open northbound on I-5 near Mission Street in Salem. Heavy congestion. Expect delays. A multi vehicle crash at around 12:40 p.m. just north of Mission Street (milepost 253) in Salem resulted in a fatality and other injuries. Traffic was getting by on the shoulder for most of the afternoon. UPDATE

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are still on scene investigating Saturday afternoon's two vehicle fatal traffic crash in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 north of the Highway 22 interchange in Salem. One driver was killed and a second driver was transported with unknown injuries. Northbound traffic is getting through using the right shoulder and tows are dispatched to remove the involved vehicles.

Preliminary information from OSP Sergeant Bob Charpentier indicates on September 25, 2010 at approximately 12:30 p.m. the driver of a southbound vehicle near milepost 255 attempted to changes lanes at the same time another vehicle was doing so, lost control and over-corrected. The vehicle crossed through the center median into the inside nothbound lane where it collided head-on with another vehicle.

The driver of the southbound vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. The northbound driver was transported to an unknown hospital for treatment of injuries. The names or other information of the involved drivers will be released later.

The crashed blocked all northbound lanes until about 2:15 p.m. when the right shoulder was opened to traffic. ODOT is on scene assisting with traffic control and detour options.

Traffic updates and images from the Highway 22 camera is available on www.tripcheck.com.

Prior Story with Video and images -> Fatal Traffic Crash - Interstate 5 northbound lanes blocked near milepost 254 between Mission Street and Market Street