Police Investigate Serious Christmas Eve Injury Traffic Crash

Crash happened on Highway 20 between Corvallis and Albany‏.

Salem-News.com

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - Several people were injured, some seriously, Thursday evening in a three vehicle traffic crash on Highway 20 between Corvallis and Albany.

Oregon State Police troopers, with the help of Albany Police Department, are continuing the investigation but not all names are available for this release. Preliminary information indicates on December 24, 2009 at approximately 6:30 p.m. a 1991 Ford Taurus driven by 19-year old Andrew Scott Tokstad of Salem, was westbound on Highway 20 near milepost 8 when, for an unknown reason, it crossed the centerline.

The Ford Taurus collided with the side of an eastbound 1999 Chrysler Cirrus and then crashed head-on with another eastbound vehicle. Information about the third vehicle and occupant(s) is not available.

The Ford's driver was transported by ambulance to Albany General Hospital with minor injuries. Three passengers were also transported with minor or possible injuries identified as 20-year Stevie Simpson, and two children ages 15 months (female) and two months (male).

The Chrysler's driver, 32-year old Sudhakar Thakillapati of Corvallis, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries. Four passengers from Corvallis were also transported to hospitals with minor to serious injuries. They are identified as:

* Trashana Hanumantha Rao, male / age 28, with minor injuries to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis

* Silvamari Thakillapati, female / age 31, with unknown injuries to unidentified hospital

* Sushma Thakillapati, female / age unknown, with serious injuries to Albany General Hospital then transferred to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland

* Bindu Lumen, female / age unknown, with serious injuries to Albany General Hospital then transferred to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland

Information regarding the third vehicle and any occupants is not available.

OSP troopers from the Albany Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Albany Police Department and Corvallis and Albany Fire Departments assisted at the scene. No other information, including safety restraints use, is available for release.

Source: Oregon State Police news release