Dallas Man Dies in Crash Sunday

Preliminary information provided to investigators was that an unidentified southbound vehicle may have crossed into the northbound lane prior to the victim losing control.

Photo of fatal crash scene: Oregon State Police

(DALLAS, ORE.) - Police say a Dallas-area man died Sunday night from injuries sustained in a late afternoon single vehicle crash on Highway 223 south of Dallas. Oregon State Police troopers investigating the crash are looking into the possibility that an unidentified vehicle may have been a contributing factor.

Sunday at approximately 5:45 PM, a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by 63-year old Leonard Lee Spangler of Dallas, was northbound on Highway 223 near milepost 10 when it reportedly lost control, overcorrected and flipped several times. The vehicle came to rest off the east side of the highway on its wheels against a tree near a creek.

Mr. Spangler reportedly was not using safety restraints and was ejected. He was transported by air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Hospital with critical injuries where he died later in the evening.

The passenger, 19-year old John Spangler of Monmouth, was using safety restraints and received non-life threatening injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital.

Preliminary information provided to investigators was that an unidentified southbound vehicle may have crossed into the northbound lane prior to the victim losing control. There is no known make, model or color information.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Salem and Capitol Mall Area Command officers are continuing the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888. Lead crash investigator is Recruit Matt Gordon.

OSP troopers were assisted at the scene by Polk County Sheriff's Office, ODOT, and local fire department personnel. Source: Oregon State Police