OSP: 2 die on Ore. roads over holiday weekend

Preliminary information indicates two people died in Oregon in fatal traffic crashes during the 2013 Thanksgiving Holiday reporting period between 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27 , and 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1 , Oregon State Police said Monday.

OSP troopers partnered with the Washington State Patrol and California Highway Patrol over the holiday period during an enhanced joint traffic safety effort called the “I-5 Challenge” to promote driving safety and prevent fatal crashes on Interstate 5 (I-5). Neither fatal crash in Oregon occurred on I-5.

According to ODOT’s Fatality Analysis & Reporting System (FARS), the following two fatal crashes were confirmed during the holiday reporting period:

* On Thursday, November 28 , at approximately 1:00 a.m., a 25-year old woman died in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 20 south of Lebanon in Linn County. OSP is the lead investigating agency and alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor.
* On Sunday, December 1 , at approximately 7:09 a.m., a 26-year old woman died in a two-vehicle collision on SE Orient Drive near SE Salquist Road in Gresham in Multnomah County. Gresham Police Department is the lead investigating agency.

Last year, two people died in two separate fatal traffic crashes in Oregon during the holiday period. Three people died during each of the 2011 and 2010 Thanksgiving Holiday reporting periods.

OSP troopers responded to over 120 traffic crashes, of which 7 involved a DUII driver. Approximately a quarter of the reported crashes occurred on I-5 (29 non-injury crashes / 5 injury crashes).

OSP troopers reported 50 DUII arrests, slightly up from 47 DUII arrests reported last year. Twelve of the OSP DUII arrests occurred on I-5.

OSP offices reporting three or more DUII arrests were:

* Salem Area Command office – 8 DUII arrests
* Portland Area Command office – 7 DUII arrests
* Albany Area Command office – 6 DUII arrests
* Bend Area Command office – 6 DUII arrests
* Springfield Area Command office – 6 DUII arrests
* Ontario Area Command office – 3 DUII arrests

In addition to DUII arrests, preliminary information reported by OSP troopers statewide included:

* More than 3,700 traffic-related contacts
* Over 1,100 citations and 1,400 warnings
* Nearly 900 citations and 920 warnings for speed-related violations

OSP thanks all safe drivers, our Oregon law enforcement and emergency responding partners, Washington State Patrol, California Highway Patrol, and ODOT for the joint effort to keep our highways safer.

OSP urges everyone to remember that December is “3D Month” in recognition of “Drinking and Drugged Driving Awareness Month,” and that more statewide and national efforts will be aimed at reducing impaired driving during the holidays and into the New Year.