The two victims of Tuesday’s deadly vehicle collision on the Northwest Expressway have been identified as 55-year-old Amy Samson and 37-year-old Daniel Pina of Eugene.
The crash was reported just before 7 a.m. Tuesday. One person died on the scene of the crash, while one other died after being taken to an area hospital, officials said. Another passenger was also taken to the hospital to receive treatment for injuries.
The Sheriff’s Office said on Wednesday that the crash may have been caused when one of the drivers had a medical event.
An initial investigation of the crash site revealed a Toyota Sienna minivan was driving north on the expressway when a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer traveling southbound, for an unknown reason, crossed into the northbound lane. Both vehicles collided.
The driver of the Toyota, Amy Samson, died at the scene.
The driver of the Chevy, Daniel Pina, later died after being transported to a local hospital and a passenger was treated for unknown injuries. Both individuals were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Additional investigation revealed Pina may have suffered a medical event while driving, leading to the crash, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
About one mile of the Northwest Expressway was closed between Park Avenue and Chambers Streets on Tuesday morning.
Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com.
