Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause of Friday afternoon’s fatal motorcycle-involved traffic crash that occurred northbound on Interstate 5 about thirteen miles south of Cottage Grove. On September 5, 2014 at approximately 3:55 p.m., a Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by PAUL JOSEPH ALVARADO, age 60, from Myrtle Creek, was traveling northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 161 when the operator failed to merge from the right lane to the left lane entering an active highway work zone. Prior to the scene were multiple signs advising of construction ahead and a right lane closure, as well as orange construction barrels tapering the right lane traffic into the left lane. The motorcycle hit at least one of the barrels, lost control and struck a guardrail. ALVARADO was seriously injured and was wearing a protective helmet. An OSP trooper and EMS personnel responded and provided emergency medical care. An air ambulance responded to the scene, but before ALVARADO could be transported he was pronounced deceased. The northbound lanes were blocked about one hour before a lane was open to traffic.
