Victim Identified - Fatal Traffic Crash - Interstate 5 near Phoenix

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

(Phoenix, Oregon) - Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into a Friday afternoon two-vehicle fatal traffic crash in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near Phoenix. The crash resulted in the death of a Ashland-area man and minor injuries to two other people. The victim's name is being released following confirmation of next of kin notification.

According to OSP Senior Trooper Stephanie Bigman, on April 29, 2011 at approximately 12:38 p.m. a 2004 Toyota Corolla four-door driven by Robert Edwin Dozier, age 70, from Ashland, was northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 24. For an undetermined reason, the Toyota crossed the center median into the right southbound lane where it collided head-on with a 1997 Ford bus occupied by two people.

Dozier was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was using safety restraints.

The Ford bus was leased to Paratransit Services Inc. out of Medford and was transporting a male passenger in a motorized wheelchair. Driver Michael Murray, age 61, from Gold Hill, and passenger Craig Pritzlaff, age 49, from Medford, received minor injuries and was transported by Mercy Flights ground ambulance to Rogue Valley Medical Center. Murray was using safety restraints and the wheelchair was secured.

The southbound lanes were closed about 3 1/2 hours during the emergency response and investigation. The location was near the freeway overpass at Interchange 24 allowing southbound traffic to be re-routed by ODOT onto the off ramp and back onto the southbound on ramp. Northbound lanes were open.

OSP troopers from the Central Point Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Phoenix Police Department, Jackson County Fire District 5, and ODOT assisted.

News Release from: Oregon State Police