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67 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, September 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds 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 Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 24, 2004 Blown tire may have caused fatal car crash Sunday on I-5 CENTRAL POINT — A flat tire may have caused a car crash that killed a Grants Pass man Sunday. Michael Martinez, 21, lost control of his 1993 four-door BMW, crashing off Interstate 5 near Central Point, Oregon State Police troopers said. The car’s left rear tire was blown out when crash investigators arrived, said OSP Sgt. Kevin Myers. The BMW struck a tree about 70 feet from the freeway’s southbound right shoulder and rolled, Myers said. Martinez, who was alone in the car, was not wearing a seat belt, and the impact threw him from the vehicle, Myers said. He died at the scene. Although Sunday’s rainstorm caused accidents along I-5, the freeway was dry at about 7:20 p.m. when Martinez went off the road near milepost 36, Myers said. Troopers continue to investigate the crash, Myers said, adding they do not yet know how fast Martinez was driving. There were no other vehicles involved. Troopers saw no evidence that Martinez was impaired at the time of the crash, Myers said. However, his blood will be tested as a routine process of the investigation, Myers said. 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 SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities