By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — Oregon State Police say an Oakridge motorist, attempting to pass in a no-passing zone, apparently triggered a deadly three-vehicle accident about eight miles northwest of Oakridge on Highway 58 Sunday morning.
Three people, all from Washington state, were killed and three others were hospitalized with injuries, according to reports.
OSP troopers said their preliminary investigation revealed that a Ford Taurus, operated by James Johnson, 31, of Oakridge, was westbound on the highway, passing in a no-passing zone just west of Black Canyon campground, when it collided with another westbound vehicle, a Chrysler Town and Country minivan, operated by Michael Cary, 63, of Oakridge. Johnson’s Taurus then collided with an eastbound Mazda3, officers said.
Three occupants in the Mazda3 sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased, troopers said. A fourth occupant of the Mazda3 was seriously injured and transported by air ambulance to the hospital.
Monday afternoon, state police released the identities of the victims who were in the Mazda3: The driver, Jagadish Chandrasekaren, 31, and passengers Adharsh Murali, 25, and Jignesh Modi, 27, were killed and passenger Puneeth Gattikoppula, 24, was critically injured. The OSP said all four were from Washington state but did not provide more specific hometowns.
Johnson was also transported to the hospital. Cary was not transported but later went to the hospital for treatment, reports said.
The accident, which occurred at about 10:15 a.m. Sunday, caused a massive traffic backup that extended for miles, well into the community of Oakridge, and lasted for more than six hours. The investigation was continuing Monday morning.
In a news release, state police credited assistance from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Oakridge Fire Department, Goshen Fire Department, Dexter Fire Department, Lane County District Attorney’s Office and Oregon Department of Transportation.
The OSP also asked for public assistance in identifying a fourth motorist, possibly driving a blue pickup, who was involved in the accident but left the scene without providing information. If you were a witness to the crash, or have any video/pictures around the time and area of the crash, or any other information you are asked to contact the Oregon State Police Northern Command Center at 1-800-442-0776 and leave information regarding OSP case No. SP21-144382.
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