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49 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, November 29, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | 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 November 13, 2003 Northbound Interstate 5 at Barnett Road was closed when an inattentive driver hit a car in front that had slowed for an Oregon Department of Transportation street sweeping crew. That accident caused a chain reaction involving four cars. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Four-car pileup jams I-5 traffic An inattentive driver caused a four-car pileup on Interstate 5 that jammed northbound traffic for miles Wednesday afternoon. The crash happened about 1:25 p.m. at mile marker 29.5, just north of the viaduct through Medford, Oregon State Police senior trooper Bill Bedell said. Traffic was tied up for nearly an hour, with northbound travelers as far south as Phoenix caught in the jam, he said. Southbound traffic also slowed as drivers gawked across the highway. The wreck started when a driver headed north didn’t notice vehicles in front of him slowing for Oregon Department of Transportation crews sweeping the highway, Bedell said. The inattentive driver was driving about 55 mph when he struck the vehicle in front of him, pushing it into the car in front, which then rammed the next car, Bedell said. As the chain reaction went along, each car sustained less damage than the one before, he said. Two people were treated and released at local hospitals. Advertisement Bedell’s investigation is continuing. Transportation officials warn drivers that crews will be sweeping the freeway between Central Point and Ashland today and Friday. The cleaning crews will work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Motorists should expect lane closures and watch for warning signs, equipment and workers in northbound and southbound lanes. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times