November 14, 2014
Lieutenant Josh Brooks
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation of a motor vehicle crash on I-5 southbound at milepost 96 involving a car and semi-truck, which resulted in the death of a woman driving the wrong way on the freeway.
On Nov. 14, at approximately 10 p.m., OSP Southern Command Center (SCC) began to receive multiple calls about a 2011 white Mazda MZ3 driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-5 at milepost 88 near Canyonville. Several vehicles were able to avoid the wrong-way Mazda, including one who was forced off the roadway. At milepost 96, the Mazda hit a semi-truck head-on. The collision occurred near the centerline of the freeway as the operator of the semi-truck was unable to avoid the car. The semi-truck caught fire and burned at the scene.
The Mazda's driver died as a result of the crash; her name is being withheld pending next of kin notification. The driver of the semi-truck, JOSE GARCIA, 41, of Compton Calif., was transported to Mercy Medical Center and treated for a broken arm and unknown other injuries.
OSP was assisted at the scene by the Canvonville South Umpqua Fire Department, Riddle Fire Protection District, Azalea Rural Fire District, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Myrtle Creek Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, which was first to arrive on-scene.
The Brookings Police Department has been assisting OSP in attempting to locate next of kin for the deceased.
Lieutenant Josh Brooks
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation of a motor vehicle crash on I-5 southbound at milepost 96 involving a car and semi-truck, which resulted in the death of a woman driving the wrong way on the freeway.
On Nov. 14, at approximately 10 p.m., OSP Southern Command Center (SCC) began to receive multiple calls about a 2011 white Mazda MZ3 driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-5 at milepost 88 near Canyonville. Several vehicles were able to avoid the wrong-way Mazda, including one who was forced off the roadway. At milepost 96, the Mazda hit a semi-truck head-on. The collision occurred near the centerline of the freeway as the operator of the semi-truck was unable to avoid the car. The semi-truck caught fire and burned at the scene.
The Mazda's driver died as a result of the crash; her name is being withheld pending next of kin notification. The driver of the semi-truck, JOSE GARCIA, 41, of Compton Calif., was transported to Mercy Medical Center and treated for a broken arm and unknown other injuries.
OSP was assisted at the scene by the Canvonville South Umpqua Fire Department, Riddle Fire Protection District, Azalea Rural Fire District, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Myrtle Creek Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, which was first to arrive on-scene.
The Brookings Police Department has been assisting OSP in attempting to locate next of kin for the deceased.