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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Oregon Senate GOP wreaks havoc with Democrat agenda ... Ashland police seek suspect in armed robbery ... Medical pot may be allowed on rural residential land after all ... Oregon Senate GOP wreaks havoc with Democrat agenda ... Ashland police seek suspect in armed robbery ... Medical pot may be allowed on rural residential land after all ... PUBLIC SAFETY Five injured in three-vehicle crash on I-5 Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 7:12 AM Updated Feb 26, 2016 at 3:55 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 7:12 AM Updated Feb 26, 2016 at 3:55 PM » Social News A three-vehicle crash Friday morning in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 halfway between Grants Pass and Rogue River sent five people to the hospital. The Grants Pass Daily Courier reported the crash happened at 4:45 a.m. in darkness and fog when a semitruck lost control and flipped onto its side blocking both southbound lanes. A Cadillac Escalade and a Buick then crashed into the truck. The incident closed the freeway for more than two hours. A detour was set up, directing drivers off the freeway at exit 55 onto Highway 99, then back onto I-5 at exit 48 in Rogue River. The southbound slow lane reopened just after 7 a.m., and all lanes reopened by 8 a.m., though that didn't stop as many as 20 cars from doing an about face and traveling on the shoulders back to an exit. "We're very fortunate that nothing happened," said Jeremiah Griffin, Oregon Department of Transportation assistant district manager. "We certainly don't encourage anyone to turn around and drive the wrong way." Northbound traffic was not affected. The Courier reported three people were transported to Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass. The other two were taken to a hospital in Medford. The driver of the semi was among those transported. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening. A specialized rotator truck from Caveman Towing pulled the semi from the freeway, then crews righted it on the shoulder, shortening the highway closure by as much as four hours, ODOT officials said. Without the rotator truck, responders would have had to right the semi where it stopped in the road. "It allows them to get in certain positions to right the semi or move it out of the way in areas they normally wouldn't be able to," Griffin said. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 7:12 AM Updated Feb 26, 2016 at 3:55 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501