FATAL CRASH INTERSTATE 5 NEAR MYRTLE CREEK -- DOUGLAS COUNTY

Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into this morning’s fatal vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Interstate 5 near Myrtle Creek. 

On September 27, 2019 at about 6:10 AM, OSP troopers and emergency personnel responded to a Toyota Prius that was stopped for unknown reasons in the northbound left lane of Interstate 5 near milepost 112.  Upon arrival of an OSP trooper and emergency personnel, the operator of the Toyota Prius, Balras Singh DHILLON (Male), age 35, from Lincoln, CA drove away northbound. 

DHILLON drove the Toyota Prius about a mile before crashing into the northbound center median guardrail and coming to rest on the outside shoulder of the freeway.  After the crash, DHILLON exited his vehicle and for unknown reasons walked across the northbound lanes of traffic and down the center median.  DHILLON continued walking towards the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 and walked into the side of a southbound Jeep Cherokee.

Cherokee operated by Britany GARATE, age 29, from Roseburg.  DHILLON was hit by multiple other vehicles in both southbound lanes and was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were closed for over three hours during the investigation into the incident.  Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) was able to set up a detour for southbound traffic. 

OSP was assisted at the scene by Myrtle Creek Police Department, Myrtle Creek Fire Department, Bay Cities Ambulance, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Winston Police Department and ODOT. 

OSP troopers are continuing the investigation and are requesting anyone that believes they may have been involved or witnessed the incident to call investigators at *OSP or (800) 442-2068 and reference case number SP19-347178. 

No further information is available for release.