Wrong-way DUII driver charged after crashing into semi on Highway 97 south of Sunriver; four drivers go to hospital

(Update: OSP provides details of crash, charges against wrong-way driver)

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) – A wrong-way driver on Highway 97 south of Sunriver late Thursday afternoon crashed into an oncoming semi-truck, causing a five-car collision that sent four drivers to the hospital, Oregon State Police and St. Charles officials said Friday. The driver allegedly at fault faces DUII, assault and other charges.

Troopers received several reports around 4:20 p.m. of a Dodge Ram pickup whose driver was driving southbound in the northbound lanes, troopers said.

The pickup crashed into an oncoming semi, causing a five-car collision near milepost 153 that closed both northbound lanes for a few hours.

The wrong-way driver, a 50-year-old man from the Lane County town of Lowell was listed in fair condition Friday at St. Charles Bend, where three other drivers were treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Troopers conducting a DUII investigation interviewed the victims at the hospital, and a search warrant was granted for a blood draw of the suspect driver.

Dut to his hospitalization, the driver was cited in lieu of custody on charges of DUII, third-degree assault, reckless driving and reckless endangering, troopers said. NewsChannel 21 policy is not to name arrested individuals until and unless formal charges are filed.

ODOT's TripCheck said one northbound lane reopened shortly before 7 p.m. The other lane reopened later Thursday night.

Three of the vehicles involved were towed by Blu Line Towing and the other two were towed by Consolidated Towing, OSP said.