Cottage Grove Woman Dies After Ejection in Southbound I-5 Crash; Alcohol Suspected

Leyla Ann Ayers, 24, of Cottage Grove was ejected from her silver Honda Odyssey and later died after the vehicle left the right shoulder of southbound Interstate 5 near milepost 167 and overturned, Oregon State Police said. OSP investigators responded to the single‑vehicle crash at 12:56 a.m. on Feb. 14 and described the sequence that left the vehicle partially blocking the highway.

OSP’s preliminary reconstruction shows the Odyssey traveled southbound, departed the right shoulder for unknown reasons, struck a roadside embankment and overturned, ejecting Ayers from the vehicle. South Lane Fire and Rescue arrived to assist, Taylor’s Towing handled vehicle removal, and the Oregon Department of Transportation provided scene support, OSP said. KEZI reported the highway remained open during the on‑scene investigation despite the vehicle’s uncontrolled stop.

Ayers was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. OSP said hospital staff notified investigators on Tuesday, Feb. 17, that Ayers had died from injuries sustained in the crash; OSP has not released an exact time of death. Some local reporting characterized the timing as a death on Feb. 14, a detail OSP has not publicly reconciled with its Feb. 17 notification.

Police investigators reiterated that “Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash,” OSP stated. No toxicology figures, blood alcohol content numbers, or formal charges were released in the initial reports; OSP described the alcohol finding as a preliminary determination tied to its early reconstruction and on‑scene evidence.

OSP continues the investigation into why the Honda left the right shoulder. The agency has not released information on seatbelt use, the presence of other occupants, speed estimates or environmental factors such as weather or roadway conditions at milepost 167. Officials at South Lane Fire and Rescue and ODOT remained on scene to manage safety and roadway clearance while Taylor’s Towing removed the vehicle.

The crash highlights outstanding investigative steps: completion of toxicology testing, formal OSP crash report details and confirmation of the exact time and date of death from medical providers. OSP is the lead investigative agency on the case; further updates, including any charges or additional findings from the reconstruction, have not been announced.