Oregon State Police Investigating Fatal Motorhome Crash

Thursday, February 25, 2016

GoLocalPDX News Team

An Oregon State Police (OSP) Trooper on Patrol encountered a crash that killed Sandra Bishop, 69, of Albany and Michael Bunten, 26 of Nebraska on Wednesday, February 24 at approximately 3:51 p.m.

A 5 year old female was also in the car but was rescued and taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center where she was treated for serious injuries.

The Incident

Upon encountering the crash, the trooper discovered that a motorhome had struck the back of a parked commercial truck and trailer. As the trooper approached the crash, two witnesses from the rest area were running to provide assistance.

The trooper yelled into the wreckage and a 5 year old female cried for help. As the motorhome was on fire, the trooper used his fire extinguisher to knock down the flames.

The trooper and the two good samaritans broke apart the side of the motorhome to reach the injured child. Once the child was removed she was tended to by the trooper until the medical crews arrived. The two good samaritans left the scene prior to being identified.

Preliminary information shows that a 1998 Tioga motorhome was traveling southbound on Interstate 5 when it took the off-ramp to the Oak Grove Rest Area. For an unknown reason, the motorhome drifted out of the lane and rear ended a commercial truck and trailer parked on the shoulder.

The driver of the commercial vehicle, Sergio Valente, 36, of California was in the truck's sleeper birth and was not injured.

Police Asking For Help

OSP is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the two witnesses who helped rescue the juvenile from the wreckage. Any person with information is being asked to call the Springfield Area Command at 541-726-2536.