On Thursday, February 24, 2022 at approximately 6:29 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a commercial motor vehicle on Interstate 5 near milepost 247.
Preliminary investigation revealed at 6:00 PM OSP dispatch received a driving complaint on a silver Jeep Patriot that was reported to be “driving all over the road” and almost hitting other vehicles. The Jeep Patriot was reported to have stopped on the shoulder of the roadway. At 6:29 PM it was reported a pedestrian was struck near the same location. It was determined a southbound Peterbilt CMV, operated by Randy Kinder (61) of Sandy, UT, struck a pedestrian that was in the lanes of travel. The pedestrian has been identified as Esteva Cartajena (25) of Eugene. Cartajena was also determined to be the operator of the Jeep Patriot.
Cartajena sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Interstate 5 southbound lanes were affected for approximately 4 hours. OSP was assisted by Turner Fire Department and ODOT.
On Friday, February 25, 2022, at approximately 10:40 AM, Oregon State Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Highway 20 near milepost 2.
Preliminary investigation revealed for unknown reasons, an eastbound blue Mazda sedan, operated by Lisa Kovacs (66) of Albany, drifted into the westbound lane, collided into a traffic post, became airborne and landed upon the westbound embankment.
Kovacs was transported to an area hospital and was later pronounced deceased.
Hwy 20 was closed for 1 hour due to the investigation. OSP was assisted by Albany PD, Albany Fire and Rescue, and ODOT.
Courtesy of OSP
