Three women die in crash on Salem Parkway, other driver charged with DUII
Three young women from Salem and Keizer were killed late Sunday when a suspected drunk driver ran a red light at the intersection of Cherry Avenue and Salem Parkway and crashed into their car, according to Salem Police.
The victims were identified by Salem Police as Trinity Watt, 19, of Salem; Madison Capobianco, 19, of Salem; and Makayla Tryon,18, of Keizer.
They were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, the women were in a Toyota Camry heading southeast at approximately 11:30 p.m. when a Jeep heading northeast on Salem Parkway ran a red light and struck the Camry. The impact sent both cars off the road.
Officers said the Jeep was driven by Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Palacios, 25, of Salem.
He and a passenger remained at the scene until they were taken to Salem Hospital for treatment for injuries.
Police say Rodriguez-Palacios had a blood alcohol content of 0.239 percent, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08.
Rodriguez-Palacios was arrested and is in custody at the Marion County jail. He has been charged with three counts of first-degree manslaughter, four counts of reckless endangerment, reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants and assault. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 3 p.m. June 4.
All three women were part of Salem-Keizer Public Schools' alternative ed programs through Roberts High School.
Salem-Keizer officials said Tryon earned her GED from the Downtown Learning Center in 2016-17.
Capobianco was enrolled in the Winema School housed at Chemeketa Community College, but district officials said she had not attended since 2016-17. College officials said she was enrolled as a Chemeketa student fall 2018 through spring 2019.
Watt was enrolled in the Winema School this school year, but reportedly had not attended since January. Capobianco and Watt were both included in a class of 2018 list provided to the Statesman Journal in June 2018.
Salem-Keizer officials are working with the programs and Chemeketa officials to provide counselors and crisis teams for those grieving.
Lillian Govus, director of communications for Salem-Keizer, said they are not aware of any siblings currently enrolled in the district.
Rodriguez-Palacios graduated from North Salem High School in 2012, officials said.
According to court records, on June 21, 2015 Rodriguez-Palacios was driving three passengers home from a friend’s house under the influence of intoxicants when he struck a trailer while crossing Lancaster Drive.
Court records show he was charged with fleeing the scene.
He pleaded guilty to reckless driving, entered a 90-day diversion program, had his license suspended for 90 days in connection with that incident and served 24 months of probation.
UPDATE 11:30 a.m.
The traffic signal at Cherry Avenue and Salem Parkway is back operational following a fatal traffic crash late Sunday night.
Earlier story
Though power was restored to the intersection early Monday morning, the signal was operating with flashing red lights during the morning commute.
"They were able to get power at 6," said Heather Dimke, management analyst for the Public Works Department for the City of Salem. "It was made operational at 8:30 this morning."
Dimke said electricians are still on the site and working on the signal.
No details of the individual who died in the crash have been released by authorities.
Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson Lou Torres said ODOT, Salem and Salem Police Department were collaborating on the case.
Original post:
All lanes of Salem Parkway are now open at Cherry Avenue according to Oregon Department of Transportation.
The traffic signal at the parkway intersection with Cherry is currently set to a flashing red while crews work to restore regular function to the signal. The signal has backed up all traffic in all directions in the area.
A crash that left at least one person dead has closed northbound lanes of Salem Parkway at Cherry Avenue.
Crews from Salem Fire Department and Salem police responded to a report of a crash near the intersection of Cherry Avenue and the parkway at about 11:27 p.m. Sunday, according to dispatch records.
The parkway remains open at Hyacinth Street NE.
Officials expect to reopen all lanes of Salem Parkway by 7:30 a.m.
Information on the individual killed in the incident or other injuries have not yet been released.
More information will be added when available.
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