UPDATE: Spouse of Portland City Commission Killed in Salem Wreck
Four other people remain in Salem Hospital in various conditions at this time.
(SALEM, Ore. ) — Oregon State Police are continuing their investigation into Wednesday morning's multi-vehicle fatal crash that occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Salem.
Oregon State Police spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings says the preliminary information indicates that at approximately 7:50 a.m., a small pickup traveling northbound in heavy rain conditions collided with a commercial vehicle.
The pickup then crossed the raised grass center median into the southbound lanes where it collided head-on with a small passenger car driven by an adult male. Two other southbound vehicles were involved in the collision.
The male driver of the first southbound vehicle, a 1993 Nissan Sentra two-door, involved in the head-on crash was pronounced deceased at the scene.
He was identified as 54-year-old Steven Fritz, who is the husband of Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, and was a doctor at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Hastings said.
A 64-year old female passenger in the car was critically injured and transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital.
The involved pickup's driver was also transported to Salem Hospital with unknown injuries.
Two other people in another vehicle were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Update: 3:40 p.m.:
Oregon State Police is continuing their investigation into Wednesday morning's multi-vehicle fatal crash that occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Salem.
OSP is asking to hear from any witnesses to the initial northbound collision between the pickup and a tanker trailer prior to the pickup departing the northbound lanes and crossing the freeway center median.
Anyone with information is asked to call OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at (503) 375-3555.
Updated information indicates at approximately 7:50 a.m., a 2005 Ford Ranger pickup driven by 53-year-old Michael Lippman, from SE Salem, was northbound in heavy rain conditions when it collided into the left side of a tanker trailer.
The pickup then crossed the raised grass center median into the southbound lanes where it collided head-on with a 1993 Nissan Sentra two-door with two occupants.
Two other southbound vehicles, a 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup and a 1997 Toyota pickup, were involved in the collision.
The Nissan's driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was identified as 54-year-old Steven Fritz from SW Portland. He is the husband of Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, and was a doctor at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem.
A 64-year old female passenger in the Nissan, Cary Fairchild from SW Portland, was critically injured and transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital. She is also an employee of the Oregon State Hospital, and is in critical condition.
Lippman was also transported to Salem Hospital with minor injuries and was treated and released. He is cooperating with the investigation.
Two males in the Toyota pickup were taken to Salem Hospital with minor injuries. Their names are not available at this time.
A second minor collision involving two other vehicles occurred north of the initial crash scene that was unrelated to the fatal crash.
OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation.
There is no evidence of alcohol or drugs as a contributing factor.
Senior Trooper Doug Brown is the lead investigator.
Update 10:42: a.m.:
Oregon State Police and other agencies are on the scene of a fatal traffic accident on Interstate 5 southbound in Salem Wedensday morning.
An Oregon State Police Detective on scene told Salem News Journal that several people have been transported to Salem Hospital in various conditions. He would not confirm how, or if any people were killed in the crash.
Reports earlier from ODOT said at least two people were killed in the crash.
He said at least five vehicles were involved in the crash, and one of them was a northbound vehicle that jumped the median.
Law enforcement is conducting an investigation and those southbound lanes will remain closed indefintely. Motorists should avoid the area or expect delays
Video from the scene by Salem News Journal photographer Jerry Freeman:
