UPDATE:
On May 22, Oregon State Police released the following information:
The two victim vehicles parked along the shoulder of Interstate 5 were occupied by the following:
- Commercial Motor Vehicle
- Eduard Netesov (36) of Gresham- uninjured
- Ford Econoline Van
- Adan Garcia Garcia (40) of Woodburn- Minor injury
- Hector Galindo (45) of Gervais- Serious injury
- Maria Flores Martinez (60) of Salem- Serious injury
- Jose Eduardo Solis Flores (41) of Gervais- Serious injury
- Eduardo Lopez (31) of Gervais- Deceased
- Alejandro Jimenez Hernandez (36) of Gervais- Deceased
- Josue Garcia Garcia (30) of Salem- Deceased
- Luis Enrique Gomez Reyes (30) of Woodburn- Deceased
- Javier Suarez (58) of Woodburn- Deceased
- Alejandra Espinoza Carpio (39)- Deceased
- Juan Carlos Leyva Carrillo (37) of Woodburn- Deceased
At this time, the three van occupants with serious injuries are still at medical facilities receiving treatment for their injuries.
Original story:
A 52-year-old truck driver from North Highlands, California, faces multiple charges following Thursday’s crash on Interstate 5 near Albany that killed seven people.
Police say Lincoln Clayton Smith was at the wheel of a tractor-trailer when his rig left the roadway, striking a van carrying 11 people. The van was then pushed into a parked tractor trailer on the shoulder. Police did not say if the van was parked on the shoulder or was in a lane of travel when it was struck.
The crash happened in the northbound lanes near the Santiam Rest Area in Marion County, about seven miles north of Albany.
Seven passengers in the van died and the other four were injured. The driver of the parked tractor trailer was not injured.
Smith was taken to a hospital and later released into custody. He was charged with DUII, seven counts of manslaughter, three counts of assault, and reckless driving.
Police did not release the names of the victims Friday, saying family notifications were still being confirmed. Citing the ongoing criminal investigation, they said no additional information would be released, aside from the victims' names.
The northbound lanes of I-5 were closed more than six hours Thursday, causing lengthy delays as vehicles were directed onto a detour using side roads.
