Three HS seniors among 4 killed in fiery wrong-way crash on I-5
(Update: Three killed were Eagle Point HS seniors)
Four people, including three Eagle Point High School students, were killed in a fiery crash on Interstate 5 north of Roseburg Saturday night when the driver of a car turned around and headed the wrong way, colliding nearly head-on with an oncoming SUV, Oregon State Police reported.
OSP troopers and other first responders were dispatched around 9:30 p.m. to the crash on southbound I-5 near milepost 154, in the Rice Hill area of Douglas County, Captain Tim Fox said.
A preliminary investigation found that a red Acura Integra was heading south on the freeway when for unknown reasons the driver turned around and headed north in the southbound lanes, colliding nearly head-on with a southbound Nissan Murano, Fox said.
Both vehicles became engulfed in flames, Fox said. Bystanders were able to remove two passengers, but they died of their injuries, as did both drivers, who could not be safely removed.
The three people in the Nissan Murano were Eagle Point High School students, seniors just weeks shy of graduation.
The school issued a statement: “It is with sadness that we inform you that last night three Eagle Point High School students died in a car accident. We have information through the families of Luciana Tellez, Giselle (Jennifer) Montano and Esmeralda Nava. The school will be open for students and staff who wish to be together in this time of grief this afternoon from 4:00 – 6:00.”
The crash closed I-5 southbound in the area for more than five hours, and ODOT set up a detour for motorists.
OSP investigators were looking for any witnesses who may have seen the red Acura Integra on I-5 southbound before the crash. They should call 541-440-3333 and reference case No. SP18-181178.
OSP was assisted at the scene by North Douglas and South Lane fire agencies, Bay Cities Ambulance, the Sutherlin Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff”s Office and Roseburg Towing. OSP also was assisted in the investigation by the Jackson County and Clark County, Washington sheriff’s offices.
