Creswell, Ore. – A Creswell man was killed Friday morning when he drove his pickup the wrong way on Interstate 5 and collided with a loaded log truck in Lane County.
According to Lieutenant Lang Hinkle, yesterday at about 6:30AM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a head-on collision on Interstate 5 near milepost 182 (just north of Creswell).
Preliminary information indicates a 1999 Dodge Pickup, operated by 36 year old Keith E HENNINGSEN of Creswell began driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 from the Creswell interchange.
HENNINGSEN’s vehicle made it a short distance before striking a 2001 Kenworth truck loaded with logs, head-on. HENNINGSEN was pronounced deceased on scene. The operator of the Kenworth, 62 year old Robert A FRANKLIN of Vader, WA, was transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
According to witnesses, FRANKLIN tried to swerve to avoid HENNINGSEN’s vehicle but it appeared HENNINGSEN intentionally steered into the path of the truck. Further investigation revealed HENNINGSEN had made suicidal comments to family members and was specific about driving into the path of a log truck.
If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.