I-5 Fatal near Albany, Jan. 26

On January 25th, 2016, at 06:22 AM, Oregon State Police (OSP) Troopers were dispatched to a vehicle in a field at Interstate-5 southbound near milepost 221. The sole occupant, 46 year-old Brian DOBSON, of Salem, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Upon arrival, Troopers discovered a Kia Soul SUV approximately 100 feet off the highway. Preliminary investigation indicates DOBSON was driving southbound on I-5 when he suffered a medical emergency and lost control. The Kia drifted off the road, through a fence and traveled approximately 750 feet through the field before bogging down in the muddy field. The cause of the medical emergency is still under investigation. OSP was assisted at the scene by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Albany Fire Department, Halsey Fire Department and Oregon Department of Transportation. As a result of the traffic congestions, three additional collisions occurred as a result of traffic congestion in the area: At 7:13 AM, during the initial death investigation, a grey Hyundai sedan was southbound on I-5 in the left lane when it slowed at the scene. A black Toyota pickup then rear-ended the Hyundai. A green Chevrolet pickup then rear-ended the Toyota and rolled over, blocking both southbound lanes. All occupants in their respective vehicles suffered minor injuries. One lane of I-5 was block for approximately 90 minutes in order to clear that crash scene. At 8:16 AM, an empty red International truck towing a car-haul trailer was southbound in the left lane on I-5 near milepost 223 when it failed to slow appropriately for traffic congestion. The commercial truck braked and jack-knifed, colliding with a RV towing a Jeep SUV in the right lane and then colliding with the cable barrier in the freeway median. No injuries were reported in this crash. One lane of I-5 southbound was blocked for approximately two and a half hours in order to clear the scene. At 10:00 AM, a yellow Nissan X-terra was southbound on I-5 near milepost 224 when it failed to slow appropriately for traffic congestion. The Nissan SUV rear-ended a silver Volvo wagon, causing both vehicles to collide with the cable barrier in the freeway median. Minor injuries were reported in both vehicles.