A section of Interstate 5 was shut down Wednesday morning after dozens of vehicles crashed. Oregon State Police Troopers responded to a multi-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 5 near Eugene between milepost 228 and 211. Preliminary estimates show 15 to 20 commercial motor vehicles and 45 passenger vehicles involved, with one confirmed fatality.
Interstate 5 southbound is completely blocked with a detour in place. Interstate 5 northbound is open but moving slowly. The freeway was expected to be closed most of the day.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has temporarily dropped the cable barrier to detour vehicles caught in the gridlock on Interstate 5. School buses from Eugene have also arrived on the scene to assist in relocating 30-40 stranded motorists to Pioneer Villa at exit 216.
DEQ and HAZMAT are responding to approximately 6 of the CMVs that are leaking fluids onto the roadway.
Several public safety agencies are assisting. Members of the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit are on the scene.
For current information about detours and when the roadway will be re-open, call 511 or www.tripcheck.com
