Romaldo Lopez Killed in Marion County Wrong-Way Accident
31-year-old Salem man dies in Marion County head-on collision
Romaldo Lopez, 31, of Salem, died Monday after a head-on collision on Interstate 5 near Woodburn, Oregon State Police said.
The crash occurred just before 8 p.m. near milepost 270 in Marion County.
Investigators said he was driving a silver Honda Civic the wrong way on the interstate when he collided head-on into a white Acura ZDX.
The driver of the Acura was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) investigation into the crash on Interstate 5 near Woodburn will include gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. This type of investigation often reviews police reports, accident scene evidence, and accounts from those who saw the crash.
"Wrong-way collisions, while less frequent than other accidents, are disproportionately severe due to high-force impacts," Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, said. "Understanding the factors involved is crucial for affected families."
Police will look at road conditions on I-5, the mechanics of the vehicles involved, and whether impairment played a role in the crash. Investigators will also check for surveillance footage or black box data to understand the crash sequence.
When a crash is fatal, a car's event data recorder, or "black box," records speed and braking information from the moments before impact. This can help investigators determine if a mechanical problem or driver error caused the crash on I-5. Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal, observed, "Trying to make sense of a bad accident is an exhausting and emotional process for any survivor. Black box data is vital because it shows exactly what's happening with the brakes in the seconds before impact."
Under ORS § 30.020, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Oregon applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.