I-5 Fatality, May 21

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Tuesday morning’s fatal traffic crash along the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 south of Eugene after a pickup crashed into the back of a disabled commercial truck and semi-trailer parked on the shoulder. According to Sergeant Alan Gilbert, on May 20, 2014 at approximately 7:10 a.m., a 2003 Toyota pickup driven by JOSEPH DANA THERIAULT, age 28, from Portland, was traveling southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 188 when it drifted toward the right shoulder. A commercial truck and semi-trailer parked disabled on the right shoulder with warning reflectors placed behind the trailer was struck in the left rear by the pickup.  A female passenger in the pickup identified as CHRISTINA MARIE ARMSTRONG, age 22, from Cape Coral, Florida, was pronounced deceased. She was reportedly living in Portland after recently moving from Florida.  THERIAULT was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend for treatment of minor injuries.  While OSP troopers were at the scene investigating the fatal crash, OSP was notified that Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office was taking a stolen vehicle report for the Toyota pickup driven by THERIAULT.  After release from the hospital, OSP took THERIAULT into custody for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and lodged him in the Lane County Jail. THERIAULT is on probation in both Florida and Oregon on drug-related offenses. Additional charges may be pending subsequent to the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash by OSP troopers from the Springfield Area Command office.