Four people died after a vehicle crashed into a homeless encampment in Salem early Sunday morning.
The Salem Police Department said in a release that at around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, SPD and local fire departments responded to the scene in the area of Front and Division Streets NE.
Two people reportedly died at the scene. Four others from the encampment were transported to Salem Health with life-threatening injuries, two of whom later died at the hospital.
The driver and sole occupant of the involved vehicle, Enrique Rodriguez Jr., 24, was also transported for medical treatment. He was later charged with four counts of first-degree manslaughter, among other charges.
The area was closed for several hours as the Salem Police Traffic Team investigated the incident.
The names of those involved have been released.
SPD said they believe "alcohol may have been a contributing factor.
UPDATE: Monday, March 28, 5:28 p.m.
The people killed as a result of the crash incident are identified as Jowand Beck, age 24; Luke Kagey, age 21; Joe Posada III, age 54; and Rochelle Zamacona, age 29.
The individuals injured are identified as Derrick Hart, age 43, and Savaanah Miller, age 18. Mr. Hart and Ms. Miller are still hospitalized.
Family members of the victims have received notification with the exception of one person, Jowand Beck. Investigators have made every possible attempt to find Mr. Beck’s family but have not succeeded in locating anyone. If you know Mr. Beck’s family or have a way to contact them, please call the Salem Police Traffic Team at 503-588-6293.
Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack shared the following statement, “Sunday’s crash was such a tragic incident. The members of our Traffic Team did a tremendous job of quickly working through the investigation to make an arrest and in our effort to bring justice to the victims and their families. Our department will continue working with our social service partners and supporting them in any way possible as we move forward together with our community.”
