GOLD HILL, Ore. — Oregon State Police says that one person died and another injured after a pickup truck and trailer rolled over on I-5 south of Gold Hill on Monday afternoon.
An investigation found that 79-year-old Harry Sprangel was driving north on I-5 in a 2002 Ford F-250, pulling an Arctic Fox travel trailer, when he left the roadway — causing the truck to roll and catch fire.
An OSP trooper and several witnesses tried to extinguish the fire while Harry and 71-year-old Mary Sprangel, both of Medford, were still inside. Rescuers were able to extricate Harry from the vehicle and he was taken to the hospital for reported injuries. His condition is unknown at this time.
Mary Sprangel did not survive the crash and resulting fire, Oregon State Police said.
Traffic crews shut down the northbound slow lane of I-5 during the emergency response and investigation. The Oregon Department of Transportation said that there was a four-mile backup extending all the way to the north Central Point exit during the closure.
EDIT: Oregon State Police initially identified the decedent as 82-year-old Jilleen Sprangel, who passed away in 2015. The agency later issued a correction identifying her as 71-year-old Mary Sprangel. "OSP apologizes for the mistake."
