Eugene, OR – Multiple crashes on local highways during Monday’s rainy morning commute served as a stark reminder for drivers to slow down, leave plenty of stopping distance, and anticipate potential hazards.
At approximately 4 a.m. on February 23, Eugene Police responded to a crash on westbound Beltline Highway. A 33-year-old man driving a Chevy Suburban lost traction on the wet road, spun, and struck the median and a bridge rail, coming to rest in the middle of the roadway. An unknown vehicle subsequently collided with the Suburban. A passerby checked on the crash and transported the driver’s wife to a hospital. A Dodge pickup, driven by a 46-year-old man, encountered the suburban driver walking in the roadway and swerved onto a walkway to avoid hitting him.
Later in the morning, a secondary crash occurred involving a semi-truck and a Chevy Equinox. A 77-year-old man driving the Equinox braked suddenly in front of a semi driven by a 48-year-old man. Both vehicles ended up in the number one lane, resulting in the semi striking the Equinox. The Equinox driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Roads were reopened to traffic by 6:19 a.m…