Salem Man Falls Asleep; Causes Head-On Crash

Police are still investigating the crash.

Oregon State Police is continuing the investigation into Thursday evening's two vehicle head-on crash that occurred on Highway 211 about a mile east of Woodburn. Photo Courtesy: Oregon State Police

(WOODBURN, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police is continuing the investigation into Thursday evening's two vehicle head-on crash that occurred on Highway 211 about a mile east of Woodburn.

Five people were transported to area hospitals with various injuries.

At approximately 6:15 p.m., a Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by 30-year-old Pablo Morales, from Salem, with three other adult-age passengers was traveling westbound on Highway 211 near milepost 1 when it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with an eastbound 1993 Buick four-door driven by 58-year-old Kenneth A. Cooper, from Molalla.

Both vehicles to rest on an embankment along the shoulder and some of the occupants were entrapped.

Firefighters from Woodburn Fire District, Molalla Rural Fire Protection District, and Marion County Fire District 1 responded to the scene for extrication. One of the pickup's passengers, 20-year-old Victor S. Nicolas, from Salem, was transported by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center with serious injuries.

Two other passengers in the pickup and the Buick's driver, Cooper, were transported by ground ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University with non-life threatening injuries.

The pickup's driver was using safety restraints and wasn't injured. His three passengers were not using safety restraints. Cooper was using safety restraints.

Initial investigation indicates Morales fell asleep while driving causing the pickup to cross the centerline and collide with the Buick. Morales was initially cited by OSP for misdemeanor Driving While Suspended.

OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office and an OSP collision reconstructionist are continuing the investigation. Senior Trooper Dave Kammerman is the lead investigator.

In addition to fire personnel, OSP was assisted by Woodburn Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Office, and ODOT.

Source: Oregon State Police