At least 7 killed in crash involving 2 semi-trucks on Oregon highway

At least seven people were killed in a violent crash on an Oregon highway Thursday afternoon, according to police.

The fatal collision happened shortly after 2 p.m. in the northbound lane of Interstate 5 between Salem and Albany, near the Santiam River Rest Area, Oregon State Police told The Statesman Journal.

Two semi-trucks and a van were involved with the crash, the cause of which has yet to be determined, according to Oregon State Police.

The victims, all adults, have yet to be identified.

It’s not clear how many others were hurt.

Photos from the scene show the mangled wreckage of a white passenger van.

A red Target semi truck sustained damage to its rear end and a black semi truck also appeared to be part of the crash, according to The Statesman Journal.

A witness at the scene told the paper that the van was crushed between the two semi-trucks from the front and back.

“Judging by the damage, it looked like the van was sandwiched,” Adrian Gonzalez said. “It got hit very hard.”

Gonzalez said he looked on as two helicopters from Lifeflight Air Medical Services landed at the scene and transported patients to area hospitals. Paramedics assisted the victims — who were all adults.