December 26, 2025 9:30 a.m. 

One driver was taken to the hospital and was cited, following a single vehicle wreck on Interstate 5 northbound on Thursday afternoon.

An Oregon State Police report said at 2:00 p.m. the driver of a large SUV was attempting to enter the freeway from the Curtin/Lorane onramp when the vehicle left its lane of travel. The large SUV struck three fog markers and an Oregon Department of Transportation sign before crossing both northbound lanes of Interstate 5. The vehicle came to an uncontrolled stop after striking the concrete center median barrier and sustained heavy front-end damage.

The report said the driver was extricated from the large SUV and was transported to PeaceHealth Sacred Health Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield. During the crash investigation, multiple indicators of impairment were identified. A hospital blood draw obtained from the driver showed a blood alcohol level of 0.24 percent. That is three times the legal limit for intoxication. The driver, a 68-year-old woman, was cited for driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving.

North Douglas County Fire & EMS, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT assisted at the crash scene.