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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, May 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 17, 2004 Accidents on snowy Siskiyou pass cause 3 injuries By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune A blinding, winter-like storm surprised drivers traveling a treacherous downhill stretch of Interstate 5 on Friday, contributing to a pair of accidents that sent three people to local hospitals. At about noon, Oregon State Police troopers responded to a four-vehicle, chain-reaction accident in the northbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 8. Drivers headed back into the Rogue Valley on a steep, downhill section of the freeway did not expect to encounter snow and hail, but that’s exactly what they got. "It’s been snowing on and off up there," OSP Lt. Kurt Barthell said. "A lot of people driving up there weren’t ready for the weather to change like that." Barthell said the road was icy when John Turner, 48, whose hometown was not available, lost control of his 1991 Honda Accord while trying to pass a Volvo truck pulling a flatbed trailer. Turner’s car spun out and slid underneath the trailer, crushing the driver’s side of the Honda, according to an OSP report. Advertisement When Turner’s car came out from under the truck, it hit a cement barrier and was then rear-ended by a 1997 Chevrolet pickup driven by Lola Hedge, 50, of Mesa, Ariz. A fourth vehicle, a 1987 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Sheri Oliver, 51, of Klamath Falls, then rear-ended Hedge’s pickup, police said. Turner was taken to Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford with injuries sustained in the wreck. He was listed in stable condition Friday night, a nursing supervisor said. Hedge was treated at Ashland Community Hospital, then released. Oliver suffered minor injuries and sought her own medical treatment, police said. The driver of the Volvo truck, Thomas A. Rasar, 40, of Spanaway, Wash., was not injured. OSP units were still on the scene at about 1:10 p.m. when a Toyota pickup pulling a utility trailer struck a guardrail while headed south on I-5 at milepost 8. The driver, David Watson of West Linn, was taken to Ashland Community Hospital with injuries, police said. His condition was not available Friday night. National Weather Service spokesman Murray Orr said drivers traveling at elevations between 3,500 and 4,000 feet should be aware of the possibility of snow showers through Sunday. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times