April 21, 2024 6:20 a.m.

A Washington State man died in a single vehicle crash on Interstate 5 in Douglas County Friday night.

An Oregon State Police report said just before 8:00 p.m. troopers responded to the southbound lanes of the interstate near Rice Valley. A preliminary investigation indicated that a sports car operated by 23-year Paul Jordison of Rochester veered off the right-hand shoulder of the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle left the roadway, traveled airborne for approximately 100 feet down an embankment, and struck a tree approximately 15 above ground level before falling to the base of the tree.

Jordison was declared deceased at the scene. Before the wreck, the vehicle was reportedly driving at high speeds. The freeway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by North Douglas County Fire and EMS and the Oregon Department of Transportation.