ARLINGTON, OREGON — A 32-year-old Pasco, Washington truck driver hauling triple trailers was arrested Thursday morning after crashing through the median on Interstate 84 near Arlington, crossing into westbound traffic, and striking an oncoming SUV that rolled over the guardrail. All three trailers and the tractor overturned. A passenger in the semi was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Oregon State Police said the crash occurred at 6:49 a.m. on September 24 near milepost 137. Edwin Alexander Gomez was driving an eastbound Freightliner towing triple trailers when the rig veered off the roadway and struck the center median for reasons that remain under investigation. The truck crossed into westbound lanes where one of the trailers struck a Ford Edge driven by Pratapa Reddy Koppula, 51, of West Hills, California, sending the SUV rolling over the guardrail onto the shoulder.
Gomez and Koppula were transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. Ashleigh Darlene Krupkat, 26, of Kennewick, a passenger in the Freightliner, was hospitalized with serious injuries.
After being medically cleared, Gomez was booked into the Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility in The Dalles on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, and fourth-degree assault.
Two of the trailers came to rest blocking the westbound lanes and an on-ramp. Westbound traffic was disrupted for approximately eight hours while crews cleared hazardous materials, removed wreckage, and repaired the median. The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office, local fire and medical units, and ODOT assisted Oregon State Police.
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