Salem-News.com Traffic articles

Cleanup Efforts Continuing along Hwy 38 After Fatal Crash

A 2012 Kenworth truck towing double fuel tanks struck a large black cow standing in the road, then lost control, went off the road and struck a power pole.

(SCOTTSBURG, Ore.) - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality continues to oversee cleanup and monitoring near the site of an Oct. 22 truck crash and fuel release on Oregon 38.

The truck was carrying around 7,500 gallons of gasoline and 2,500 gallons of diesel when it crashed.

ODOT Closes Old McKenzie Pass Highway

Predicted snow causes this Seasonal Closure

(BEND, Ore.) - With snow in the Oregon Cascades predicted over the next week, maintenance managers with the Oregon Department of Transportation have made the decision to close the Old McKenzie Pass Highway (OR 242), for the winter/snow season effective Monday, November 5 at dawn.

It will reopen in Summer 2019, when the snows have melted and travel is again safe on the old highway.

Studded Tire Season in Oregon Begins Nov 1

The studded tire season in Oregon is Nov. 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019.

(SALEM, Ore.) - When the driving surface isn't covered in ice, studded tires can damage the road. ODOT encourages drivers to consider all of your options, including other types of traction tires or chains.

If you must travel when weather conditions present difficulties, use other types of traction tires or chains, or postpone your travel until conditions change for the better.

Aurora Man in Custody after Hit and Run Crash with School Bus

There were 20 children on the bus at the time of the crash.

(DONALD, Ore.) - According to Deputies, the preliminary investigation revealed that the Peterbuilt truck operated by 49-year old Timothy Brown, of Sheridan, was traveling west on Ehlen Rd NE. As Brown approached the intersection with Butteville Rd NE, a black SUV driving eastbound made a left hand turn in front of him.

Brown hit the SUV at approximately 55 mph causing it to spin and crash into the left front portion of the school bus that was sitting at the stop sign, waiting to turn.

Bend Firefighter Killed in Motorcycle Crash with Bear

Tragedy is a reminder of unforeseen risks on the road.

(WARM SPRINGS, Ore.) - 39-year old Rhett Larsen, an off-duty firefighter from Bend, was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle eastbound when a large bear ran into his path on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. He was unable to avoid the bear and struck the animal in the eastbound lane.

Larsen was thrown from his motorcycle and then was struck by a westbound Ford SUV pulling a utility trailer driven by 57-year old Margaret Sweo, from Oregon City. Sweo's vehicle traveled off the roadway and rolled onto its side.

Memorial Day Weekend is No Time to Drive Loaded

Drunk driving crashes are PREVENTABLE!

(SALEM, Ore.) - Along with police agencies across the country, the Marion County Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Team will be on the lookout for impaired drivers this Memorial Day Weekend. Beginning May 25th and ending May 28th, patrols will be stepped up, with additional deputies who will be attempting to locate DUII drivers.

Deputies will be working all hours of the day and night to ensure a safe traveling experience for our residents and visitors. The focus, according to ODOT, will be to make sure child passengers are buckled up; ensuring traffic moves over for emergency vehicles; and getting impaired drivers off the road.

Erratic Motorhome Leads to Officer Involved Shooting

Shots were fired but no one sustained gunshot injuries.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Four Salem Police Officers were involved in a line-of-duty shooting following a dangerous incident in which a motorhome struck two police patrol vehicles.

The driver, 61-year old Roy Victor Devoursney of Salem, exited the vehicle and refused to comply with officers' commands, resulting in the deployment of a taser and then officers took him into custody.

12 Elk Killed in Crash on Oregon Hwy 26

Unbeknownst to drivers, highways often serve as animal trails in the dark of night.

(BANKS, Ore.) - At 4:30 this morning, the Oregon State Police and Washington County Sheriff's office responded to a crash on Highway 26 near milepost 54 in Washington County.

There were 13 known elk hit by at least one, possibly more, vehicles. Approximately half of the elk were killed on scene and the others were put down for humanitarian reasons.

Old-Fashioned Driving Directions May Keep You Alive this Winter

OSP is warning the public about the dangers of mapping software or GPS units that may lead motorists into a dangerous situation during winter months.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Highway 22 is currently closed and motorists traveling between Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley are being urged to take Highway 20 through Sweet Home or Highway 26 through Government Camp.

Over the weekend, OSP Dispatch received several calls of motorists attempting to take Highway 22, but being rerouted by their GPS units onto Forest Service roads near Detroit.

School Bus Crashes with All Aboard

The kids are all alright.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Today at about 3:30 PM, Marion County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the 11400 block of Sunnyview Rd NE regarding a traffic crash. This crash involved a school bus full of kids, all of which are ok, and a smaller ford pickup.

The investigation has determined icy road conditions to be the cause. The driver of the pickup lost control and crossed the center line and hit the bus head-on.