Injuries and Arrests Stem From Serious Early Morning Salem Crash (VIDEO + PHOTOS)

Crash closes down Salem's early morning freeway traffic as one driver flees the scene.

Video by Jerry Freeman Salem-News.com Photos courtesy: Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - A Salem man received critical injuries in a three vehicle crash on Interstate - 5 near milepost 255 in Salem. Oregon State Police troopers and Salem Police were dispatched at 4:45 a.m. to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate - 5 near milepost 255 at State Street.

OSP Sergeant Dale Young says a 1999 Lincoln Navigator, driven by 26-year old Jose Zendejas of Salem, was southbound on Interstate-5 after having just entered the freeway from Market St in Salem.

Zendejas' vehicle was struck from behind by a 1995, Mercury Villager van, driven by 31-year old Azucona Garza of Salem.

Young says there was possibly a secondary impact between these same two vehicles and Zendejas lost control of his vehicle and jumped the dirt berm in the median. Zendejas' vehicle rolled across all the northbound lanes coming to rest on it's side on the northbound shoulder.

Garza reportedly fled the scene on foot, leaving her vehicle parked in the center southbound lane of Interstate-5, Young said.

Then, Garza's vehicle was struck from behind by a 2001 Mercury Sable, driven by 36-year old Chadwick Nicholas of Stayton. 29-year old Denise Stockburger of Stayton was a passenger in his car.

Nicholas told Salem-News, "I was just driving down the highway and I saw a car on the side of the road with its flashers on, so I pulled over to the other lane and as I pulled over to the other lane and I looked back in front of me and there was a car in the middle of the flippin' road. And I hit that car."

Stockburger added that, "Both cars were running, there was nobody in the car, nobody around. And then we find out there is another wreck on the other side of the road that started out over here."

Jose Zendejas was extricated by Salem Fire Department. He and his passenger, 30-year old George Cervantes of Eugene, were both taken to Salem Memorial Hospital.

Zendajas remains in critical condition. His Passenger, Cervantes, was treated and released and lodged at the Marion County Jail on an outstanding probation violation warrant from Washington County.

Garza was located nearby by Salem Police and taken into custody on an unrelated Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance Schedule II charge. Once Garza was contacted by Oregon State Police troopers she was arrested on several additional charges, which are: Driving under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, four counts of Recklessly Endangering, Failure to Perform Duties of a Driver (Misdemeanor & Felony), second-degree Assault and third-degree Assault.

Additionally, Garza was cited for refusing a breath test. She was lodged at the Marion County Jail on the above listed crimes.

Salem Police Department, Salem Fire Department, and Oregon Department of Transportation all assisted at the scene.

Young says there were no troopers on duty when this crash occurred.

"Salem Police Department held the scene until troopers were called out from their residences and eventually arrived on scene. Interstate -5 was closed in both directions for about three and a half hours."

State police troopers from Salem are continuing their investigation. Speed and alcohol are suspected to be contributing factors in the crash.

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