Oregon troopers confirm 60 – 65 vehicles involved in massive I-5 pileup
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers have provided more information on a Wednesday pileup crash involving dozens of vehicles that left one person dead.
The pileup occurred around 8 a.m on October 19 on southbound I-5 between mile markers 228 and 211 near Eugene, Oregon. Heavy fog was reported in the area at the time of the crash.
OSP says that the preliminary investigation indicates that 15 to 20 Commercial Motor Vehicles and 45 passenger vehicles were involved in the crash.
OSP says that there is one confirmed fatality.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has removed the cable barrier from the median of I-5 to try to detour vehicles caught in the traffic backups.
School buses are being used to transport 20 to 30 stranded drivers from the crash site.
Six of the crashed trucks are leaking diesel. HAZMAT teams are on scene to help with the cleanup.
Southbound I-5 is completely blocked and is not expected to reopen for several hours. Drivers are advised to use ODOT’s Tripcheck website for the latest travel information.
UPDATE: SB I-5 remains closed at MP 216, the OR 228 Halsey-Brownsville exit. Expect the road to remain closed for most of the day for crash investigation/cleanup.
All lanes of NB I-5 are open. SB traffic is being detoured at the OR 228 exit to OR 99E. Use alt routes/drive safe.
— OregonDOT (@OregonDOT) October 19, 2022