On Tuesday morning, June 6, at about 3:15 a.m., Knife River construction workers were clearing the roadway on Interstate 5 at milepost 280 northbound, when a white box truck traveling northbound collided with a Knife River construction vehicle, injuring two construction workers. Both workers were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries. The box truck continued northbound, failing to stop at the scene. Troopers located the box truck a short time later and the investigation is continuing. As emergency workers worked the scene, a black Jeep SUV was reported as a reckless driver traveling northbound towards the crash scene, passing stopped traffic on the shoulders. The vehicle stopped at the crash scene and Troopers took the driver into custody for several charges, including reckless driving. Please check trip check for traffic updates. Two lanes of Interstate 5 northbound had to be closed for another 60 minutes. OSP is seeking any witnesses that might have been in the area or have any information regarding this incident, and they are asked to call OSP Dispatch at 503-375-3555. More information will be released when it is available. Statement from Brian Gray, president of Knife River’s Oregon operations: This is a terrible situation that did not have to happen. Our team members were working in the closed lane, on the other side of traffic barrels when their vehicle was hit. We ask two things: Please keep our injured team members and their families in your thoughts, and please pay extra attention and slow down in work zones so something like this never happens again. Update: The driver of the box truck, Colin Michael COOK, age 27, of Fairview, was arrested for fail to perform duties of a driver/injury, assault II, reckless driving and reckless endangering. COOK is in custody and will be lodged in Marion County Correctional Facility. The construction workers have been identified as Antonio Manuel BAHENA, age 20, of Troutdale, and Ronald Ernest DAVIS, age 57, of Powell Butte. Both workers continue to receive treatment at local area hospitals. Please respect their privacy as they recover from injuries sustained in this morning’s crash.
