On June 4, 2009, at approximately 11:25 a.m. a 1989 Toyota Supra driven by Lynn Scott Tison-Elston, age 51 from Grants Pass, was attempting to enter the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 when she accelerated too fast and lost control on the corner prior to the merging lane. The car started to spin on the wet roadway and entered the freeway crossing into the lanes of travel. A commercial truck in the right lane observed the out of control car and was able to apply its brakes, missing the Toyota. The car continued across the right lane striking a 2004 Kenworth truck driven by Osvaldo Prado, age 31, from Tustin, California, traveling in the left lane.
After the collision, the Toyota spun back into the right lane of travel and came to rest in the northbound merging lane. The Kenworth crossed over the right lane and shoulder of the freeway before crashing through approximately 108 feet of guardrail. The Kenworth flipped onto its driver's side and continued down the embankment crashing through several trees before coming to rest prior to the roadway below. The Kenworth received major damage to both the cab and trailer which was hauling plastic storage containers.
Tison-Elston was able to exit her vehicle and was uninjured.
Prado received minor injuries and was transported to Three Rivers Community Hospital where he was treated and released. Right front passenger Mayra Angelica Hernandez, age 21, from Tustin, was also transported for minor injuries. Owen Ubaldo Prada, age 1, from Tustin, had been in the Kenworth's sleeper berth area and only received minor injuries despite the roof of the sleeper berth being ripped away during the crash.
The crash caused merging traffic to be diverted into the right lane of Interstate 5 while trees and debris were cleared for the vehicle's removal. The overturned trailer had to be unloaded by hand and into another trailer provided by Caveman Towing.
Tison-Elston was cited for Careless Driving in a posted construction zone.
Troopers from the Grants Pass Worksite were assisted on scene by ODOT, Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, American Medical Response, as well as the local construction crew who aided in the removal of construction materials so that the truck could be removed.
Photograph Source: Oregon State Police
