Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a crash Thursday afternoon, April 24, that left a Sweet Home man seriously injured on Highway 20, near Lebanon.
According to OSP Sgt. James Halsey, at approximately 1 p.m., a commercial truck pulling a semi-trailer was stopped in the right westbound lane waiting to turn into a driveway as a train was passing through.
A 2008 Chevolet Impala driven by Samuel R. Slaughter, 81, of Sweet Home, was westbound when Slaughter failed to notice the stationary trailer and crashed into the rear of the truck. The car was lodged underneath and Slaughter was seriously injured, police said.
Lebanon Fire District firefighters extricated Slaughter and he was transported by REACH air ambulance to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center for treatment. Police said his injuries appeared non-life threatening.
OSP troopers from the Albany Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Trooper Ian McKay is the lead investigator.
Westbound lanes of Highway 20 were closed while troopers investigated the accident. All lanes were re-opened before 4 p.m., OSP said.