Central Point, Oregon – On the morning of August 17, 2024, a tragic multi-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 5 near milepost 38 in Jackson County, resulting in the death of 73-year-old Susan Dale O’Connell, a resident of Talent, Oregon.
According to the Oregon State Police (OSP), the accident took place around 10 a.m. as O’Connell was driving her white Toyota Corolla northbound. She unexpectedly slowed down and made a sudden left turn into the path of a northbound Ford F350 in the left lane. The Ford, driven by 49-year-old Jeffrey Scott Trouslot from Klamath Falls, collided with the driver-side door of the Toyota, causing a severe impact.
The crash’s intensity led to the Ford’s front passenger tire detaching and rolling northbound, where it struck a white Chevrolet Silverado driven by 44-year-old Sergio Cervantes Valencia of Turlock, California. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported from the other drivers involved in the crash.
Susan O’Connell was pronounced dead at the scene. The Oregon State Police were joined at the scene by Jackson County Fire, Mercy Flights, and the Oregon Department of Transportation to manage the incident and begin their investigation.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing as authorities seek to understand the full circumstances that led to this devastating accident. The tragic death of Susan Dale O’Connell underscores the dangers of sudden maneuvers on the highway, reminding all drivers of the importance of cautious driving.
Les Potter, a resident of Central Point, Oregon, shared his thoughts on Facebook, expressing deep sorrow for the loss of Susan O’Connell and reflecting on the impact this tragic event has had on the community.