The Linn County Sheriff’s Office announced on May 18 that it is investigating a head-on crash that occurred on May 17 at approximately 9:17 a.m. on Stayton Scio Road near Stayton. The incident blocked the bridge leading into Stayton from Linn County and left one driver with serious injuries.
According to the statement, deputies responded to reports of vehicles blocking the bridge and occupants trapped inside. Fire personnel extricated Daniel Harnden, age 77 of Stayton, from his black Chrysler 300 before he was transported to Salem Hospital for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies also contacted Christian Ramon-Carbajal, age 31 of Woodburn, who was driving a Hummer H3 and showed signs of impairment.
The investigation found that Ramon-Carbajal was traveling south when he struck a curb and veered into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with Harnden. Both vehicles sustained heavy front-end damage. Ramon-Carbajal suffered minor injuries and was taken to Santiam Hospital for treatment.
Deputies said impairment by Ramon-Carbajal contributed to the crash. After being released from medical care, he was transported to Linn County Jail and charged with Assault II, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, as well as cited for Driving Without an Operator’s License and Failure to Use Ignition Interlock Device (IID).
Assisting agencies included Stayton Police Department, Stayton Fire District, Sublimity Fire District, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Road Department, Santiam Hospital Paramedics and Linn County Road Department.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office covers over 2,300 square miles in Oregon’s Willamette Valley with about 190 full-time staff across six divisions; it functions as an official agency of county government dedicated to maintaining peace while treating all people with honor and respect through community engagement initiatives and modern facilities in Albany according to the official website.
