UPDATE: INJURY TRAFFIC CRASH - INTERSTATE 5 SOUTH OF ALBANY (PHOTOS)
Posted: July 1st, 2011 3:26 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-07/1002/45845/070111.i5mp230.JPG
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-07/1002/45845/070111.i5mp226.JPG
Updates:
* Driver Gerald Woods cited for Following Too Close and Falsifying Driver's Daily Log Book.
* More information and new photograph related to motorhome fire.
***
One person was injured Friday morning in a multi-vehicle traffic crash on the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 south of Albany. The crash occurred in an area where traffic was backing up due to an earlier motorhome fire, and is a reminder to pay attention for congestion and other highway incidents while driving at all times during the Fourth of July holiday weekend - the deadliest major holiday weekend of the year in Oregon.
According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Lieutenant Mark Cotter, on July 1, 2011 at approximately 8:09 a.m., traffic on Interstate 5 southbound near milepost 230 was slow due to backup related to a motorhome fire near milepost 226. A 2010 International truck pulling a semi-trailer partially loaded with truck canopies driven by GERALD WOODS, age 54, from Portland, couldn't stop and rear-ended a 2000 Toyota van towing a tent trailer. The impact pushed the Toyota van into the rear of another semi-trailer.
The tent trailer was totaled in the crash and both diesel tanks on the truck driven by WOODS ruptured, leaking approximately 275 gallons of diesel onto the freeway shoulder. WOODS was briefly trapped in his truck until he was extricated by fire personnel from Albany and Tangent fire departments. WOODS was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis with non-life threatening injuries.
The Toyota's driver, THOMAS G. PETER, age 43, from Portland, and his two passengers were not injured.
Everyone involved in the crash were using safety restraints.
The southbound lanes were closed for 45 minutes before the left lane was opened. Northwest Firefighters Environmental (NWFF) responded to clean up the diesel spill. NWFF personnel may continue to be on scene into the evening hours.
ODOT remained on scene for traffic control.
The earlier motorhome fire occurred southbound near milepost 226 at 6:40 a.m. after the driver pulled over onto the shoulder because of a possible mechanical problem. After stopping, the driver smelled smoke and exited the motorhome. An OSP trooper arrived four minutes later and the motorhome was fully engulfed.
Tangent Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire. The motorhome was a total loss. Both lanes were closed until the fire was extinguished.
OSP troopers from the Albany Area Command office are continuing the investigation into both incidents.
Photograph Source: Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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