Fatal I-5 Crash Near Canyonville; CMV Driver Charged with Manslaughter, DUII
One dead, three injured after stalled commercial truck struck on Interstate 5
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — One person was killed and three others were injured Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near Canyonville, according to Oregon State Police.
Troopers responded at approximately 3 p.m. April 6 to a reported crash near milepost 90. Investigators say a commercial motor vehicle hauling a loaded trailer had stalled while traveling northbound on an uphill grade in the outside lane prior to the collision.
Police said the stalled white Freightliner, operated by 61-year-old Brenden Larry Christensen of San Diego, California, was struck by a maroon Honda CR-V. The impact caused the Honda and cargo from the commercial vehicle to catch fire. Authorities noted the commercial truck had stalled several times while climbing the grade before the crash.
The driver of the Honda, identified as 18-year-old Davin Jack Smith of El Sobrante, California, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Two passengers in the Honda — Lawrence Wayne Smith Jr., 60, and Annika Jace Smith, 18, both of El Sobrante — were transported by air ambulance to area hospitals with serious injuries. Another passenger, Ivan Amadeo Gonzalez, 19, of Hercules, California, was taken to a hospital by ground ambulance with reported minor injuries.
According to investigators, the driver and two passengers in the Honda were a father and twin children. The fourth occupant was identified as a family friend.
The driver of the Freightliner was not injured. Oregon State Police said impairment is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash. Christensen was arrested and charged with DUII and manslaughter.
Interstate 5 was impacted for approximately three hours while crews conducted the on-scene investigation.
Oregon State Police were assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Canyonville Fire Department, Glendale Valley Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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