The driver was treated and released for minor injuries, then arrested on four counts of second-degree Manslaughter and DUII.
(PENDLETON, Ore.) - A Carlton-area man is in custody at the Umatilla County Jail on multiple charges following an early Sunday morning crash on Interstate 84 about ten miles east of Pendleton that killed three men and a woman.
Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation with the assistance of the Umatilla County District Attorney's Office and no more information is being released today.
Preliminary investigation indicates that early this morning at approximately 12:19 AM, a 1991 Chevrolet Beretta driven by 29-year old Jesse Cline of Hermiston, was westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 219 when it was struck from behind by a westbound 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup driven by 46-year old John Cole Carlgren of Carlton.
State Police troopers say the preliminary highway area of impact is on the right shoulder. After impact the Chevrolet traveled across the westbound lanes and came to rest on the left shoulder, and the Dodge pickup came to rest on the right shoulder.
Mr. Cline and his three passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene. The passengers are identified as 29-year old Michelle Sawyer of the Lynnwood, Washington area; 24-year old William Johnson of Hermiston; and 31-year old Fred A. Young Jr. of Boardman. Safety restraint use information is not available.
Carlgren was transported by Umatilla Tribal Fire & Ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton where he was treated and released for minor injuries. OSP troopers then arrested Carlgren and lodged him in Umatilla County Jail on four counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.
OSP troopers from the Pendleton Area Command office are continuing the investigation with the assistance of the Umatilla County District Attorney's Office.
Umatilla Tribal Police Department, Pendleton Fire Department and ODOT assisted. One lane was open during most of the night while investigators were at the scene until they cleared about 8:00 AM.
Carlton Man Faces Manslaughter and DUII Charges From Quadruple Fatal Crash Near PendletonSalem-News.com