Salem Woman Dies in Crash Near Corbett

Donna Olson was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her grandson, 12-year old Tyler Olson of Salem, received minor injuries and was transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(CORBETT, Ore.) - A Salem-area woman died Saturday morning and her grandson received minor injuries in a three vehicle crash eastbound on Interstate 84 east of the Corbett overpass. Police say icy highway conditions were a contributing factor in this crash and several others on both sides of the freeway during this time.

The crash happened this morning around 9:54 AM, Oregon State Police and Multnomah County Sheriff's Office were assisting with several minor ice-related crashes in both directions on Interstate 84 east of Corbett.

An OSP trooper and MCSO deputy were on the eastbound shoulder at the scene of a vehicle off the highway when traffic began to slow and come to a stop due to road conditions and the presence of emergency personnel.

A 2007 Volvo commercial truck pulling a semi-trailer driven by 25-year old Sergey N. Klimenko of Gervais was stopped in the left eastbound lane near milepost 22, when an approaching 1997 Chevrolet Venture van driven by 71-year old Donna Opal Olson of Salem, was unable to stop behind the semi-trailer and tried to maneuver past it to the right when it crashed into the back of the semi-trailer.

After impact, the van spun into the right eastbound lane where it was struck by a 1978 Travel Queen motor home driven by 57-year old David B. Lawler of Ketchum, Alaska. A police spokesman says the van then spun back into the side of the semi-trailer before coming to a stop in the eastbound lanes. The motor home came to a stop off the right shoulder of the freeway.

Donna Olson was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her grandson, 12-year old Tyler Olson of Salem, received minor injuries and was transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

Klimenko and Lawler were not injured.

Police say all people involved in the crash were wearing their seat belts.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Portland Area Command office are completing the investigation. MCSO, Troutdale Police Department, Corbett Fire Department, and ODOT assisted at the scene. Officer cleared the scene about 1:00 p.m. and the freeway in both directions remained closed due to conditions.