Crash North of Salem

I recently blogged about how New Year’s early morning is the most dangerous day of the year to drive.  In terms of the chance being involved in a car accident that results in a personal injury.  Unfortunately this statistic had held form with the coming of the New Year.

A man and a young girl were killed and 10 people were injured New Year’s Day in an early-morning, two-vehicle wreck on Highway 99E north of Salem.  Oregon State Police is investigating.  Several of the injured were in serious or critical condition. Troopers believe all of those involved are from the Salem area.  About 3 a.m., a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville driven by Jose Gonzalez, 31, of Salem, was northbound on the highway just north of Chemawa Road when it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a southbound 1997 Dodge Caravan containing 10 occupants.

Gonzalez, who was alone in his car, and a 3-year old girl in the van were pronounced deceased at the scene. The other passengers in the van were transported to hospitals for treatment.

Worse is that it turns out a 2 year girl that died in the accident was not in an infant or toddler seat but rather sitting on her dad’s lap and was ejected from the car at the point impact.  This is a sad reminder of the importance of safety restraints.

Several of the injured were extricated by the Salem Fire Department.  Investigators believe safety restraints were being used by most occupants but will verify that during the investigation.

There is no evidence at this time that alcohol was a contributing factor. Toxicology tests will be done on the deceased driver, but results won’t be known for several weeks.  A half mile stretch of Highway 99E was closed for about five hours.

As mentioned above, while many of those involved were spared serious injury because they were wearing safety restraints, the small child’s death is tragic.  Still, even if you have been injured in a car accident and you were not wearing a seatbelt, that is not a bar to recovery of just compensation.  Give me a call and I can discuss your case no matter the issue – and the consultation is free.