Independence Man Dies in I-5 Crash Near Sutherlin

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — An 80-year-old Independence man was killed late Monday night after his vehicle left Interstate 5, struck trees and caught fire in Douglas County.

Oregon State Police responded at approximately 11:47 p.m. Aug. 17 to a single-vehicle fatal crash on northbound Interstate 5 near milepost 138.

According to the preliminary investigation, Carl Leslie Earhart, 80, was driving a silver Kia Rondo northbound when the vehicle left the roadway for unknown reasons. The Kia struck a group of trees, rolled over and caught fire.

Earhart was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said the highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

The Oregon State Police investigation was assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Sutherlin Police Department, Douglas County Fire District No. 2 and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.