Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Oregon State Police. All crashes with fatalities may not be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation.
MONDAY, APRIL 6
• 3 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 about 9 miles south of Canyonville in Douglas County that took the life of Davin Jack Smith, 18, of El Sobrante, California. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a northbound semitruck hauling a loaded trailer driven by a 61-year-old San Diego, California, man had stalled on an uphill grade in the outside lane. The stalled semi was struck by Smith’s northbound Honda CRV, causing the Honda and cargo in the truck to catch fire. The commercial vehicle had stalled several times prior to the collision while climbing the grade. Smith was pronounced deceased at the scene. Two Honda passengers, a 60-year-old El Sobrante, California, man and an 18-year-old El Sobrante, California, woman, were transported by air ambulance to area hospitals with serious injuries. A third Honda passenger, a 19-year-old Hercules, California, man, was transported to an area hospital by ground ambulance with minor injuries. The operator and two passengers in the Honda were a father and twin children. The third passenger is a family friend. Impairment was believed to be a contributing factor in the crash and the truck driver, Brenden Larry Christensen, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants and manslaughter.