Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into a serious injury crash that occurred on Highway 99E just south of Woodburn resulting in criminal charges of a driver. According to Lieutenant Tim Fox, preliminary information indicates that shortly before 11:00 p.m. on May 2, OSP dispatchers received multiple driving complaints on a blue, 2005 Chevrolet Colorado reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 99E northbound toward Woodburn. Just before Woodburn the Colorado crossed the center line, glancing off the rear driver’s side of a southbound, 2014 Dodge Pickup, causing the Dodge to spin and rollover. It landed on its top in an adjacent ditch and caught fire. Next, the Colorado collided with a southbound Honda Civic which split into two pieces. The driver of the Dodge was able to get out of the truck and was transported to the Salem Hospital for treatment of injuries. The driver of the Honda was transported by air ambulance to OHSU with reportedly serious injuries. The Colorado came to rest in an adjacent field and the driver, identified as HUGO GONZALEZ HERNANDEZ, 32, of Woodburn, fled the scene into a nearby greenhouse. The Woodburn Police Department responded to assist OSP and began to track the suspect with a K-9. Officers located the man hiding in the greenhouse and he refused to comply with officers commands. He was subsequently bitten by the K-9 and taken into custody. While being arrested the suspect bit one of the officers on the arm. The officer was treated at an area medical facility for the bite. Speed and alcohol are being investigated as contributing factors in this crash. GONZALEZ HERNANDEZ was transported to Salem Hospital for treatment of injuries and was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Assault IV, Assault II, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver in a Crash with Injuries, Recklessly Endangering Another and Assault of a Public Safety Officer. He is still being treated for his injuries at the Salem Hospital and has not been lodged in jail at this time.
