On Thursday, May 18, at approximately 2:06 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a three vehicle crash on Interstate 5, near the Santiam Rest Area, in the northbound lanes.
A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) was traveling northbound on Interstate 5 when it left the roadway on the east shoulder. The CMV struck a Ford Econoline passenger van, occupied by 11 people, and pushed the van into another parked CMV. The force of the crash caused extreme damage to the passenger van.
As a result of the crash, 6 persons in the van were declared deceased at the scene. One victim from the van was transported by Life Flight and later declared deceased at the hospital. The other four occupants suffered various injuries and were transported via ambulance for medical care.
At this time, OSP is not releasing the names of the victims until notifications have been confirmed. Authorities say the victims will be identified in a later update after notification have been made.
The operator of the parked CMV was not injured.
The operator of the at-fault CMV, Lincoln Clayton Smith (52) of North Highlands (CA), was transported for medical evaluation. Smith was later arrested and lodged at the Marion County Jail for DUII, Reckless Driving, Manslaughter 2 (x7), and Assault 3 (x3).
This is an on-going criminal investigation and additional details regarding the crash will not be released.
OSP was assisted by Jefferson Fire, Turner Fire, Lebanon Fire, Albany Fire, Life Flight, Falck Ambulance, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains, and ODOT.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Source: OSP
