OSP: Seven adults killed in Interstate 5 crash north of Albany involving car and 2 semi-trucks

(Update: Northbound I-5 reopens)

ALBANY, Ore. (KTVZ) – Seven adults were killed and several other people were injured Thursday afternoon in a crash involving two semi-trucks and a car on Interstate 5 north of Albany, Oregon State Police said.

OSP responded around 2:05 p.m. to the three -vehicle crash on northbound I-5 near milepost 241 and the Santiam Rest Area in Marion County.

Troopers said the initial report indicated the crash involved two commercial motor vehicles and a passenger vehicle. The cause of the crash is under investigation at this time.

ODOT established a detour for northbound traffic near the crash scene, and OSP said to expect significant delays. Traffic updates can be checked on our ODOT TripCheck page.

“All traffic should use other routes and avoid the area,” OSP said. “Southbound traffic may also back up, so be alert.”

The passenger vehicle involved was a van, the Albany Democrat-Herald reported.

The Marion County medical examiner was at the scene, and a Life Flight helicopter left the scene at about 2:45 p.m., the newspaper reported.

Police and fire officials put a blue tarp on the wrecked van and placed a barrier near one of the trucks to block the view of the scene, the newspaper said.

The van appeared to have been crushed between the trucks, a witness told the Statesman Journal.

“Judging by the damage, it looked like the van was sandwiched,” Adrian Gonzalez said. “It got hit very hard.”

Two Life Flight helicopters landed and took people away while paramedics treated others on the ground, Gonzalez told the paper.

The northbound lanes of I-5 were reopened Thursday night after being closed due to the crash, state transportation officials said.

Troopers said more information is likely in about 24 hours, after family notifications are made and the on-scene crash investigation has concluded.