A 39-year old Salem woman was charged with drunk and reckless driving, plus reckless endangerment after she drove the wrong way – perhaps intentionally -- on Interstate-5 near the Curtain interchange on Thursday night, and hit an oncoming vehicle.
According to a news release, Oregon State Police (OSP) investigations are looking for information that the crash, which caused minor injuries to Sarah C. Ramage was an intentional act to harm herself.
About 9:20 p.m., May 10, Ramage’s 1998 Mazda 626 was southbound in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 163 when it crashed into a 1992 Ford Taurus driven by 23-year old Edwin Cruger III from Roseburg, in the left lane. A third vehicle in the right lane, a 2000 Chevrolet Metro driven by Douglas Russell, 66, of Springfield , avoided the other vehicles but was damaged slightly when it hit debris.
Troopers say Sarah Ramage, allegedly intoxicated, drove the wrong way on Interstate 5 -- perhaps intentionally -- and crashed into an oncoming vehicle. OSP photo
Ramage was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene for treatment of minor injuries, troopers reported. She was cited to appear in court for driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, and two counts of reckless endangerment.
Cruger was checked at the scene and did not require medical transport. Russell was not injured.
OSP troopers are continuing the investigation, and were assisted at the scene by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and both Drain and Cottage Grove Fire Departments.
Oregon Department of Transportation personnel reduced northbound traffic to shoulder-only for about two hours.