September 20, 2025 2:50 p.m.

Two nearby crashes hindered traffic on Interstate Five on Friday morning.

Reports from Oregon State Police said at 7:00 a.m. troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash near the South Umpqua River at milepost 120.5.  A sedan was attempting to merge from the right lane to the left lane in front of a second vehicle. The first vehicle’s left rear side struck the right front side of the second vehicle. The sedan spun out of control and struck the center barrier. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. The operator of the first vehicle, a juvenile, was transported to CHI Mercy Medical Center for minor injuries.

Just after 7:20 a.m. troopers were called to a single-vehicle rollover crash just south of the first accident. A pickup was traveling in the left lane. The driver stated that she saw heavy traffic up ahead and tried to take the 120 exit to avoid the traffic. The pickup traveled from the left lane across both lanes of traffic towards the exit, but the driver lost control. She overcorrected in an attempt to regain control, and the vehicle hit the divider head on. The pickup became airborne and landed on its right side on the off ramp. The passenger sustained non-fatal injuries. The driver and a second passenger were not injured. There was significant damage to the traffic divider.

Northbound freeway traffic was diverted to the nearby exit for a time, while both accidents were dealt with.