Injury Traffic Crash - Interstate 5 south of Sutherlin (Photos) - 09/23/10
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers from the Roseburg Area Command office are continuing the investigation into Thursday morning's minor injury traffic crash that closed southbound lanes of Interstate 5 south of Sutherlin for one hour.
According to OSP Senior Trooper Robert Gorman, on September 23, 2010 at approximately 5:45 a.m. a 1992 Chevrolet pickup pulling a yellow 1965 Chevrolet two-door was operated by CHERISE PARRY, age 42, from Bandon, in the right southbound lane of Interstate 5 near milepost 132 at 40 – 45 mph. A southbound Federal Express truck pulling two trailers operated by VLADIMIR CHERNYAK, age 49, from Vancouver, Washington came up behind the Chevrolets at about 55 mph and crashed into the rear of the towed Chevrolet two-door. After impact, the Chevrolet two-door caught fire and came unhitched from the pickup.
The Federal Express truck pushed both vehicles over 400 feet before coming to stop against the center barrier. The pickup stopped against the commercial truck's passenger side and the Chevrolet two-door stopped across both southbound lanes.
Fire and EMS personnel from Sutherlin and Douglas County District 2 responded to extinguish the fire and provide medical care.
PARRY was transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries before being released. She was cited by OSP for Unlawful Possession of less than an Ounce of Marijuana. Her 16-year old male passenger was not injured.
CHERNYAK and his 51-year old male passenger were not injured.
ODOT provided traffic control at the scene while southbound lanes were closed one hour and then opened to shoulder travel for two hours.
No other enforcement action taken while the investigation is continuing.
4 days ago as I was running south on I-5 in Oregon, I was coming up to a construction zone with signs clearly posted "Left lane closed ahead" and a flashing merge right arrow. The Fed Ex driver behind me decides he needs to go about 65mph and pass me just before he runs into the merge sign. Now I understand most trucks cruise about 60mph thru Oregon and California as I myself does when the traffic is light, weather conditions ok and the bears aren't sitting waiting for you. It seems that every Fed Ex driver out there blows by me, especially on I-5. How many of you here, have seen this too? I imagine the above driver was doing more like 65mph when he hit these vehicles, since he pushed them over 400ft down the road after impact.