Salem Man Indicted on Upgraded Assault Charge in 2025 Street Racing Crash

Salem, OR. — A Marion County Grand Jury has indicted a 27-year-old Salem man in connection with a 2025 street racing crash that seriously injured a local woman.

On February 26, 2026, David Barrera was indicted on upgraded charges of Assault in the Second Degree and Reckless Driving. The original charges of Assault in the Third Degree and Reckless Driving were elevated following further review of the case.

The crash occurred April 10, 2025, at approximately 11:14 a.m. at the intersection of Fairgrounds Road and Academy Street NE. According to investigators, witnesses reported seeing a high-performance BMW traveling at a high rate of speed and engaging in street racing behavior shortly before the collision.

Police said the 66-year-old Salem victim, who is deaf, was making a permissive left turn at the time of the crash and was unaware of the accelerating vehicle. The impact left her with significant injuries to both wrists, limiting her ability to communicate for an extended period. Authorities said she continues to experience lasting effects from the crash.

The Salem Police Traffic Team determined that Barrera’s vehicle was traveling at nearly three times the posted 30-mile-per-hour speed limit when the collision occurred.

According to research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is a contributing factor in roughly one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide.

The Salem Police Department said it remains committed to addressing reckless driving and street racing in the community. Working alongside the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, officials said they intend to hold drivers accountable for dangerous behavior on city streets.