Its only early June and Oregon roadway fatalities are up about 6% from this time last year. Many serious motor vehicle collisions occurred the last week May 2016.
First, on Sunday May 28 a 45 year old woman from Gaston, Oregon needed to be extracted from a vehicle when the driver of her car rear ended a pickup truck. She was air lifted to OHSU where she was treated for serious injuries. The crash occurred on highway 47 just north of Gaston at Seghers Road.
The next day, Monday May 29th, a head on collision killed two Oregon drivers on highway 126 just east of Springfield, Oregon. In that crash, preliminary investigation suggested a Mazda pickup truck crossed the center line striking a Honda Civic. A third passenger was taken to Sacred Heart Riverbend for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Mazda is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The day after that, Tuesday May 30th a motorcyclist was killed and another motorcyclist was seriously injured when their cycles collided. The incident occurred on I-5 in Jackson County, four miles south of the Rogue River. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in this crash as well. Even a witness to the crash who stopped for the crash, but not involved was arrested drinking and driving.
Also on May 30th another deadly crash occurred in the area of Jackson County. This crash occurred just north of Rogue River on highway 99 near milepost 8. The crash occurred when a driver failed to make a turn, striking a tree. No other vehicles were involved. Alcohol is suspected as a factor in this crash as well.
A third deadly collision occurred on May 30th at about 6pm in Klamath County. This accident also involved a motorcyclist who also failed to negotiate a turn, apparently taking it too fast. He motorcyclist rode into a meadow before being ejected from the cycle into a pond.
Alcohol, driving too fast and crossing the center line appear to be factors in many of the above tragic events. Summer in Oregon is a wonderful time. Slow down, don’t drink and drive and stay alert on the road to keep it that way.
Richard Rizk is a personal injury lawyer in Portland Oregon.