Connect with us

Oregon

Semi-truck driver involved in Oregon crash that killed 7 charged with DUI, manslaughter

Published

on

Semi-truck driver involved in Oregon crash that killed 7 charged with DUI, manslaughter


A semi-truck driver involved in Thursday’s violent crash on an Oregon highway that left seven people dead has been slapped with DUI and manslaughter charges, police said.

California resident Lincoln Smith, 52, was driving his 18-wheeler in the northbound lane of Interstate 5 between Salem and Albany around 2 p.m. when he smashed into the back of a passenger van — a white Ford Econoline  — with 11 people inside, according to Oregon State Police.

The collision forced the van into the trailer of another 18-wheeler.

Six people who were in the van were declared dead at the scene, cops said. Another victim was transported via helicopter but died on the way to the hospital.

Advertisement

The remaining four people in the van sustained various injuries and were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. Police have not released their conditions. 

The driver of the other semi truck was uninjured.

The victims, who have not yet been identified by police, were all adults, police said.

Wreckage of van that was carrying 11 people when it was hit on Thursday.
AP

Car crash scene
Six people were declared dead at the scene and another victim died while being airlifted to a hospital.
AP

The van was believed to be transporting agricultural workers who work for a local labor contract company, according to police.

Smith was transported from the scene for medical treatment. He was subsequently arrested and booked at the Marion County Jail.

He was arraigned on Friday in Marion County for charges including manslaughter, DUI, reckless driving and assault, The Statesman Journal reported.

Advertisement

According to charging documents obtained by the newspaper, he was under the influence of a controlled substance and an inhalant. 


car crash scene
The van was believed to be carrying agricultural workers.
AP

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office said Smith admitted to using “speed” on Wednesday and was found in possession of methamphetamine and inhalants.

Smith has a lengthy criminal history, with at least 17 prior arrests as well as nine convictions for a slew of crimes including burglary and providing false information, Deputy District Attorney David Wilson told the paper.

He is scheduled to appear in court next on May 30. Judge Lindsay Partridge did not set bail.

Photos from the scene show the mangled wreckage of the white van. Straw sun hats and shovels could be seen among the debris.

Oregon’s farmworker union, PCUN, told the Statesman Journal in a statement that it has been in contact with some of the victims’ families

Advertisement

“PCUN, and our members, would like to send our sincere condolences to the families and the workers impacted by this tragedy,” executive director Reyna Lopez said. “At this time, families are asking for safer roads for workers commuting after a hard day’s work.”



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Oregon

Which Oregon politicians are going to Donald Trump’s inauguration? See the list

Published

on

Which Oregon politicians are going to Donald Trump’s inauguration? See the list


play

Inauguration Day, when President-elect Donald Trump will officially return to the White House, will take place Monday.

Advertisement

Trump will be sworn in at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda after the inauguration was moved indoors due to forecast cold weather in Washington, D.C. The last time an inauguration was moved indoors was 40 years ago for President Ronald Reagan in 1985.

Here is a list of Oregon politicians who told the Statesman Journal they will be attending or missing the inauguration as of Friday.

Is U.S. Labor Secretary nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s pick for U.S. secretary of labor and a former Oregon Republican Congresswoman, did not respond to the Statesman Journal’s inquiry on Friday asking if she would attend the inauguration.

Is Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

No, Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, is not attending the inauguration.

Advertisement

Is U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

No, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, is not attending the inauguration. A representative from Wyden’s office said the senator was hosting planned townhalls in Oregon over the weekend and would be visiting the Providence nurses on strike in Portland before returning to Washington, D.C., Monday for evening votes.

Is U.S. Sen Jeff Merkley attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, is planning to attend the inauguration.

Is U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, an Oregon Democrat, is planning to attend the inauguration.

Is U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, an Oregon Democrat, is planning to attend the inauguration, although recent venue changes may affect her decision.

Advertisement

Is U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

No, U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat, will not attend the inauguration. A represent from her office said Bonamici will be gathering with immigration advocates, attending an MLK Day breakfast with community leaders and volunteering with an organization that serves homeless youth.

“I will not be attending the inauguration in DC this year. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of service and I will be spending it in Oregon with community members and organizations who are working to create a better future,” Bonamici said.

Is U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, an Oregon Republican, is planning to attend the inauguration, although recent venue changes may affect his decision.

Is U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

Yes, U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum, an Oregon Democrat, will attend the inauguration.

Is U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration?

U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter, an Oregon Democrat, was unsure if should would be attending the inauguration when contacted by the Statesman Journal on Friday.

Advertisement

Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.



Source link

Continue Reading

Oregon

Powerball ticket worth $328.5 million sold in Oregon

Published

on

Powerball ticket worth 8.5 million sold in Oregon


play

The first Powerball jackpot of 2025 was sold in Oregon and is worth $328.5 million, according to lottery officials.

Advertisement

The winner purchased the winning ticket in Beaverton on Thursday, Jan. 17, the Oregon Lottery said. The retail location will not be revealed until a winner has come forward.

The winning numbers for the Saturday drawing were: 14, 31, 35, 64 and 69 and Powerball 23.

The winner has a year to claim their prize, Oregon Lottery spokesperson Melanie Mesaros said. After the winning ticket is presented, “it will take time before a winner can be identified due to security and payment processes.”

Oregon lottery winners, with few exceptions, cannot remain anonymous, Mesaros said.

The winner will have a choice between an annuitized prize of $328.5 million or a lump-sum payment of $146.4 million, according to lottery officials, which are both options before taxes.

Advertisement

Last year, the largest Powerball prize won in Oregon — a $1.3 billion jackpot — was split between a Portland man, his wife, and friend.

Before Saturday, the most recent Powerball jackpot was sold in December in New York and was worth $256 million.

Powerball is a multi-state jackpot operated by 44 states, plus the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Fernando Cervantes Jr., a news reporter for USA TODAY, contributed to this story.

Advertisement

Cherrill Crosby is the executive editor of the Statesman Journal and The Register-Guard. Reach her at crosbyc@gannett.com



Source link

Continue Reading

Oregon

Oregon’s Dan Lanning visits 5-star recruit Cantwell, top TE Premer during Midwest run

Published

on

Oregon’s Dan Lanning visits 5-star recruit Cantwell, top TE Premer during Midwest run


Oregon head football coach Dan Lanning has been a busy man.

But when you’re the man tasked with running one of the top college football programs in the country, burning jet fuel to shake hands and take photos is a big part of the gig. And Lanning was doing plenty of that last week.

A native of Kansas City, Mo., Lanning returned home last week on a two-day tear recruiting some of the top 2026 prospects in the country.

Lanning’s known stops included Lee’s Summit on Jan. 16, where the Tigers have 2027 interior line prospect Zach Harsha (6-5, 260) and 2028 tight end Max Trillo (6-4, 225).

Advertisement

He was even busier the following day. He had stops at Raymore-Peculiar, where he visited with and offered four-star uncommitted running back DeZephen Walker (6-0, 205) who is believed to be heavily considering Kansas and Nebraska.

Raymore-Peculiar running back DeZephen Walker

Raymore-Peculiar running back DeZephen Walker. / Photo by David Smith, SBLive

He also headed to Illinois, where he swung by Lincoln-Way East to visit with quarterback Jonas Williams, who agreed with the Ducks on Aug. 3, 2024,

A trip to the Springfield, Mo. area was also on the docket, as Lanning traveled to Nixa High School to again meet with the country’s No. 1 2026 offensive lineman, Jackson Cantwell, on Jan. 16. The 6-8, 315 offensive tackle has offers from just about everyone in the country, though he has spoken highly of Lanning and his relationship with the Ducks coach – making Oregon one of the favorites for his services.

Advertisement

Cantwell was honored by the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 18 during their AFC Divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans after he was selected to represent the Chiefs at the ‘Nike Ones’ showcase during Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans.

Lanning concluded his trip with a little basketball in Hutchinson, Kan., where he watched Great Bend tight end Ian Premer (6-6, 215) – the top tight end in the 2026 class – take on Hutchinson. Premer, a three-sport star in football, basketball and baseball, impressed with 22 points in the game.

The Midwest swing adds to a busy month for Lanning, who also has been spotted with Utah No. 1 athlete Salasi Moa and recently secured a visit with top 2026 quarterback and Nashville native Jared Curtis.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending