Off-Duty State Troopers Respond to Early Morning Crashes, Making Three DUII Arrests

Police say one of the crashes happened when a boyfriend and a girlfriend tried to take an offramp at the same time.

1994 Honda Civic driven by 24-year old Ricardo Sanchez of Woodburn Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(WOODBURN) - Off duty Oregon State Police troopers were called on duty following two traffic crashes early Tuesday morning on Interstate 5 between Woodburn and Brooks that police say involved intoxicated drivers. Three people involved in the crashes were arrested for Driving Under the Influence, including one person who police say left the scene on foot. Investigators say the first crash occurred at 2:33 AM, when two vehicles driving southbound on Interstate 5 attempted to take the Woodburn exit at the same time. The first vehicle, a 2001 Honda Civic driven by 22-year old Aliah Lufti Ali of Monmouth, crashed into the back of a 1994 Honda Civic driven by 24-year old Ricardo Sanchez of Woodburn. The impact caused the 1994 Honda Civic to leave the highway and rollover, and the 2001 Honda Civic sustained front-end damage. Neither driver reported an injury and Lufti Ali left the scene on foot, according to police. Woodburn Police officers subsequently arrested her for DUII, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Reckless Driving, and misdemeanor Hit & Run. Because no state troopers were on duty, Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Michael Iwai was called and responded to investigate the crash. He arrested driver Sanchez for DUII, Reckless Driving, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. Sanchez and Lufti Ali reportedly are boyfriend and girlfriend. They were transported to the Marion County Jail. The second crash occurred about 15 minutes later at approximately 2:47 AM. Police say a 2006 Dodge Charger driven by 30-year old Jesse Jow Brown of Salem, was southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 264 in the center lane at about 85 mph when it crashed into the rear of a southbound 1999 Chevrolet Astro van. The impact caused the van to leave the west side of the freeway and rollover into an adjacent field. Off duty Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Jay Davis was called out and responded to investigate the second crash. Brown was subsequently taken into custody for DUII, Reckless Driving and Assault in the Fourth Degree. He was later cited and released. The van's driver, 38-year old Robert Lynn Slaymaker of Springfield, was transported to Salem Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.