FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH - INTERSTATE 5 NEAR WOLF CREEK IN JOSEPHINE COUNTY
News Release from Oregon State Police
Posted on FlashAlert: August 31st, 2014 8:12 AM
Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Saturday afternoon's single vehicle fatal traffic crash tht occurred along Interstate 5 at the Speaker Road interchange near Wolf Creek. The crash resulted in the death of a Winchester, Oregon man.
According to Sergeant Brandon Boice, on August 30, 2014 at approximately 4:08 p.m., a 1998 Toyota pickup driven by TERRY RAY ACKROYD, age 40, from Winchester, was traveling southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 78 when it left the freeway and rolled, ending up about 100 feet off the roadway.
ACKROYD was partially ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency responders. He was using safety restraints.
According to witnesses, the pickup was being operated recklessly at a high rate of speed just prior to the crash.
OSP troopers from the Grants Pass office are continuing the investigation. OSP was assisted at the scene by local emergency responders. No lanes were closed during the investigation.
No photographs available for this release.
This was the second fatal traffic crash investigated by OSP troopers during the Labor Day holiday weekend that runs through 11:59 p.m., September 1. According to ODOT's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a brief look at Labor Day holiday traffic crash statistics in Oregon since 1970 indicates:
* Fatalities average seven each year in Oregon over this holiday weekend.
* Since record-keeping began, more than 280 people have died during this holiday period, making it the second deadliest major holiday of the year.
* Alcohol is a contributing factor in over half of the traffic fatal crashes.
* The highest number of traffic fatalities occurred in 1978 when 17 people died.
* Oregon has never experienced a fatal-free Labor Day holiday weekend. Single fatality reporting periods occurred in 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2010.
The Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriff's Association, Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, and Oregon Department of Transportation offer the following safety reminders for holiday travel:
* Be watchful for emergency vehicles and workers. MOVE OVER if you are approaching any type of emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle which is stopped on the roadside with emergency lights activated.
* Get rested before you are tested. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
* Stay up to date on road conditions by visiting TripCheck.com or calling 5-1-1. Outside Oregon, dial (503) 588-2941. In work zones, even when workers are not present, all speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert.
* Share the road. Watch for bicyclists and pedestrians, especially at night. Bicyclists and pedestrians need to make sure motorists can see them, and motorists needs to make sure they are seen.
* Watch out for motorcyclists, especially if the weather is nice.
* Buckle up every trip, every time. Be sure to use child safety seats correctly.
* Avoid distractions; don't use a mobile device while driving.
* Drive sober or let someone who is sober drive.
Everyone is urged to play an important part in keeping our highways and city streets safe by immediately reporting aggressive, dangerous, and intoxicated drivers to the Oregon State Police at 1-800-24DRUNK (1-800-243-7865) or call 9-1-1.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
According to Sergeant Brandon Boice, on August 30, 2014 at approximately 4:08 p.m., a 1998 Toyota pickup driven by TERRY RAY ACKROYD, age 40, from Winchester, was traveling southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 78 when it left the freeway and rolled, ending up about 100 feet off the roadway.
ACKROYD was partially ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency responders. He was using safety restraints.
According to witnesses, the pickup was being operated recklessly at a high rate of speed just prior to the crash.
OSP troopers from the Grants Pass office are continuing the investigation. OSP was assisted at the scene by local emergency responders. No lanes were closed during the investigation.
No photographs available for this release.
This was the second fatal traffic crash investigated by OSP troopers during the Labor Day holiday weekend that runs through 11:59 p.m., September 1. According to ODOT's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a brief look at Labor Day holiday traffic crash statistics in Oregon since 1970 indicates:
* Fatalities average seven each year in Oregon over this holiday weekend.
* Since record-keeping began, more than 280 people have died during this holiday period, making it the second deadliest major holiday of the year.
* Alcohol is a contributing factor in over half of the traffic fatal crashes.
* The highest number of traffic fatalities occurred in 1978 when 17 people died.
* Oregon has never experienced a fatal-free Labor Day holiday weekend. Single fatality reporting periods occurred in 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2010.
The Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriff's Association, Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, and Oregon Department of Transportation offer the following safety reminders for holiday travel:
* Be watchful for emergency vehicles and workers. MOVE OVER if you are approaching any type of emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle which is stopped on the roadside with emergency lights activated.
* Get rested before you are tested. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
* Stay up to date on road conditions by visiting TripCheck.com or calling 5-1-1. Outside Oregon, dial (503) 588-2941. In work zones, even when workers are not present, all speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert.
* Share the road. Watch for bicyclists and pedestrians, especially at night. Bicyclists and pedestrians need to make sure motorists can see them, and motorists needs to make sure they are seen.
* Watch out for motorcyclists, especially if the weather is nice.
* Buckle up every trip, every time. Be sure to use child safety seats correctly.
* Avoid distractions; don't use a mobile device while driving.
* Drive sober or let someone who is sober drive.
Everyone is urged to play an important part in keeping our highways and city streets safe by immediately reporting aggressive, dangerous, and intoxicated drivers to the Oregon State Police at 1-800-24DRUNK (1-800-243-7865) or call 9-1-1.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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