UPDATE: The name of the person killed in the multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 in Oregon on Oct. 19 has been released by Oregon State Police.
Phillip Frye, 29, of Portland, was killed in the multi-vehicle crash and four more people were transported to area hospitals. One of the people transported to area hospitals is reported to be in serious condition.
Initial estimates of the number of vehicles involved in the crash have not changed, but the total number of involved vehicles may not ever be fully known, according to OSP. Many drivable vehicles within the crash zone drove over a barrier and left the scene.
EUGENE, Ore. — At least one person is dead after more than 60 vehicles were involved in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 in Oregon on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
Oregon State Troopers responded to the multi-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of I-5 between milepost 228 and 211.
The southbound lanes of I-5 were completely blocked, and a detour was put in place. I-5’s northbound lanes remained open, but traffic was moving slowly.
I-5’s southbound lanes were expected to be closed most of the day on Wednesday.
Preliminary estimates show 15-20 commercial motor vehicles and 45 passenger vehicles were involved in the wreck. At least one person was confirmed to have died.
The Oregon Department of Transportation dropped the cable barrier to detour vehicles caused by the gridlock. School buses from Eugene also arrived to assist in relocating 30-40 stranded motorists to Pioneer Villa at exit 216.
The Department of Environmental Quality and HAZMAT crews responded to approximately six CMVs that were leaking fluids onto the roadway.
For current information about detours and when the roadway will be re-open, call 511 or www.tripcheck.com
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