The crash that claimed the life of Dallas woman happened on Highway 22W west of Salem.
(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon State Police, working in conjunction with the Polk County District Attorney's Office, is continuing the investigation into a Friday afternoon three vehicle crash on Highway 22W west of Salem that resulted in the death of a 52-year old Dallas-area woman. One driver was taken into custody and was lodged this morning on multiple charges at Polk County Jail.
OSP Spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings says the preliminary investigation indicates that Friday at approximately 5:20 pm, a silver 2000 Ford Mustang driven by 27-year old Martin Martinez-Aguilar of Salem, was in the center continuous left turn lane on Highway 22W near the intersection of Oak Grove Road NW near milepost 20.
"The Ford Mustang attempted to drive from the continuous left turn lane across both eastbound lanes and was struck in the right rear by an eastbound tan 1996 Saturn driven by 52-year old Barbara Jean Bier of Dallas," Hastings said.
After the initial impact the Ford Mustang continued onto the right eastbound highway shoulder area. The Saturn veered left into the westbound lanes where it crashed head-on with a westbound white 2004 Ford F150 pickup driven by 54-year old William Lee Wiedenmann of Dallas.
Ms. Bier was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Wiedenmann did not require medical treatment.
Hastings says Martinez-Aguilar and an injured unidentified passenger in his car were transported to Salem Hospital.
Investigators report that all involved occupants were using safety restraints.
Working in consultation with the Polk County District Attorney's Office, Martinez-Aguilar was arrested and is being lodged in the Polk County Jail for Criminally Negligent Homicide, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants – Drugs, second-degree Assault, fouirth-degree Assault, Reckless Driving and 2 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
Oregon State Police troopers from the Salem Area Command office and an OSP crash reconstructionist are continuing the investigation. Polk County Fire District I, Polk County Sheriff's Office, ODOT and Salem Police Department assisted.
Hastings says the westbound lanes of Highway 22W were closed for approximately three and a half hours.
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