Crash Leads to Power Outage and Grass Fire Near Sutherlin

Crash scene Monday near Sutherlin Photos courtesy: Oregon State Police

(ROSEBURG) - State troopers say the driver of a pickup attempting to retrieve a CD lost control Monday afternoon and crashed into a power pole, leading to the closure of Interstate 5 and a power outage in the Sutherlin area. Oregon State Police cited the driver for Careless Driving.

Around 12:45 PM Monday, a 2003 Ford pickup driven by 21-year old Derek G. Matthews of Roseburg, was northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 131 when he reportedly was retrieving a CD from the passenger floorboard.

The pickup left the roadway and went up and over a 20 foot embankment on the right shoulder prior to crashing into a large power pole. The pole was sheared off at the bottom.

The pole and pickup came to rest in the yard of Gene Whitaker Logging. The weight from the downed pole caused the power lines to sag above I-5, and a second power pole was then dislodged, causing live power lines to fall across Highway 99 and the Gene Whitaker lot. This resulted in a grass fire on land bordering the freeway.

Police say a passing truck hit one of the sagging lines over Interstate 5, causing it to snap and travel across the entire freeway and land on the southbound hillside.

As a result of the crash, power was reportedly disrupted from Roseburg to Sutherlin, and Pacific Power & Light crews are working to restore power and repair the downed lines. Questions regarding the power outage should be directed to PP&L.

Northbound lanes of Interstate 5 were closed about one hour according to police, before the reopening of one lane. Traffic was backed up towards Roseburg. Southbound lanes were closed for a short period of time.

Matthews was possibly injured but declined transport for treatment.

OSP troopers from the Roseburg Area Command office investigated the crash. Trooper Kevin Van Atta subsequently cited Matthews for Careless Driving.

Assistance at the scene was provided by Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Roseburg Police, Sutherlin Police, ODOT, Douglas County Fire Dept., and West Ambulance.

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