Six persons were transported from the scene of an accident at the intersection of Main Street and Pleasant Valley Road at about 1:30 p.m. on July 29.
Four of the victims have returned home since the accident. Two others, husband and wife, remained hospitalized on Aug. 1.
In one vehicle, driver Julie VanEpps, 39, and her three children, Joel Smith, 5; Jade Smith, 8; and Janessa VanEpps, 15; were taken to area hospitals. Jade went to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital where she was treated and released. Mrs. VanEpps, Joel and Janessa were taken to Good Samaritan Regional Hospital and were released the following day.
In the second vehicle, driver Charles Sabisch, 96, was taken to Albany General Hospital, and his wife, Eula Sabisch, was taken to a trauma center in Portland where she was listed in serious condition on Aug. 1.
Her injuries include a broken ankle, ribs and left wrist, said their son, Elmer Sabisch of California. Doctors have had to postpone surgery until she is stabilized.
Mr. Sabisch’s injuries include sprained ankles, bruises and four broken vertebrae and was suffering from complications.
Lebanon Fire District assisted Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District in transporting the victims to hospitals.
Based on early investigation of the accident, Sabisch was turning east off Pleasant Valley Road onto Main Street in a 1995 Dodge when his vehicle collided with VanEpps’ 1989 Ford Aerostar, Police Chief Bob Burford said.
“Our investigation is continuing pending our ability to talk to those involved,” Burford said.
No citations had been issued as of press time on Aug. 2.
A search of Sweet Home Police Department’s database showed 16 reported accidents at that intersection since 2000. Of those, two have resulted in injury.
The city of Sweet Home’s transportation system shows, from a 2003 study, that the intersection has met the warrants for a stop light, Community Development Director Carol Lewis said. A stop light cannot be installed until after the Oregon Department of Transportation’s engineer signs off on it.