One Dead, Five Seriously Injured in Alcohol-Related Crash

Witnesses reported that prior to the traffic crash, the 1989 Buick struck a lamp post in the Spirit Mountain Casino parking lot.

Photos: Oregon State Police

(GRAND RONDE) - One person died and five people received serious injuries Monday evening after a two-vehicle head-on crash on Highway 18 about four miles east of the Spirit Mountain casino.

This is the second crash at this location in the past two days involving an intoxicated driver crossing over and striking a vehicle in the oncoming lane, seriously injuring the other drivers and passengers.

OSP spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings says at approximately 8:40 PM, a red 1989 Buick Riviera driven by 58-year-old Thomas Johnston, from Woodburn, was eastbound on Highway 18 near milepost 27 when it veered across the centerline into the westbound lane and hit a black 2006 BMW sedan driven by 27-year-old Tru Dao, from Beaverton head-on.

Witnesses reported that prior to the traffic crash, the 1989 Buick driven by Johnston struck a lamp post in the Spirit Mountain Casino parking lot.

It then continued, hitting a traffic pylon on Highway 18 near the casino before traveling eastbound until it crashed into the 2006 BMW.

Johnston was using safety restraints and was transported by Life Flight helicopter to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

He reportedly died of injuries sustained in the crash at approximately 2:44 AM early Tuesday morning.

Preliminary testing revealed Johnston had a high blood alcohol level at the time of the crash.

Dao, age 27, from Tigard, was using safety restraints and was seriously injured.

He was transported by ambulance to the Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville.

His car's airbags deployed.

Right front passenger, 21-year-old Tai Nguyen, from Portland, received serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville.

Left rear passenger, 26-year-old Vihn Huynh, of Beaverton, received serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Salem Hospital.

Center rear passenger, 23-year-old Hau Le, of Beaverton, received serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Salem Hospital.

Right rear passenger, 23-year-old Tu Tran, of Beaverton, received serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Salem Hospital.

OSP troopers were assisted at the scene by Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Sheriff's Office, West Valley Fire Department, and ODOT.

The highway was closed for approximately two hours