5 Die In 4 Crashes Over Memorial Weekend
POSTED: 1:22 pm PDT May 26,
2009
UPDATED: 1:28 pm PDT May 26,
2009
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregon State Police released preliminary statistics about traffic enforcement, arrests for driving under the influence of intoxicants, crashes and deaths over the Memorial Day weekend.According to the report, the 78-hour period saw four fatal traffic crashes, 88 DUII arrests and more than 1,800 speeding tickets issued.Police said the 88 DUIIs marked a significant rise from the 79 DUII arrests reported in both 2008 and 2007. The greatest number of DUII arrests was in the Portland area at 14, followed closely by Springfield with 13, according to the report.The four fatal crashes killed five people and occurred throughout the state:Saturday: A 22-year-old Redmond man died in a single vehicle rollover crash on Highway 402 east of Monument in Grant County. Saturday: A 19-year-old Dallas woman died after her car went off North Fork Road in southeast Marion County and fell down an 80-foot embankment into the North Santiam River. Sunday: A 29-year-old man died after his off-road vehicle rolled down a hill off Thompson Creek Road in the Applegate area. Monday: Two men were found dead in the morning in a car found in heavy brush off the eastbound shoulder of Highway 26 near milepost 80. Police said the highest number of traffic deaths during a Memorial Day weekend was in 1979 when 13 people died.According to the report, several drivers were stopped for driving more than 100 mph, including three separate drivers who were stopped on Interstate 205 while driving well over 100 mph.Troopers also responded to about 100 crashes and helped more than 500 disabled motorists.
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