Salem, Ore. — The Salem Police Traffic Team is investigating a two-vehicle collision resulting in the fatality of a passenger in one of the vehicles.
The crash occurred on March 21, 2022 at approximately 9:45 a.m. when a Subaru passenger car moving westbound on Ewald AV collided with a Jeep utility vehicle traveling southbound on Liberty RD. The initial investigation determined that as the driver of Jeep reached the intersection, the driver of the Subaru crossed the Jeep’s path at which point the Jeep struck the passenger door of the Subaru.
The four occupants of the Subaru were transported to Salem Health with two passengers treated for life-threatening injuries. One of those passengers subsequently succumbed to the injuries sustained. The identities of the occupants are not being released at this time.
The driver of the Jeep, Caleb Smith, age 26, was uninjured.
The driver of the Subaru, Jose de Jesus Briones, age 39, was arrested and lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:
- Manslaughter in the second degree
- Assault in the third degree, two counts
- Driving under the influence of an intoxicant
- Reckless driving
- Recklessly endangering another person, four counts
Briones is scheduled to be arraigned at 2:30 p.m., and as such all further inquiries on this case are to be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
