Fatal Crash at Eugene's Beltline and I-5 Closes Ramp, Breaks Power Pole

A two-vehicle crash at the eastbound Randy Papé Beltline connector to southbound Interstate 5 killed one person Wednesday evening and shattered a power pole, forcing a closure of the Exit 13 off-ramp that stretched nearly eight hours into the night.

Central Lane 911 received the first report at approximately 5:20 p.m., with vehicles colliding at the off-ramp where the Beltline feeds drivers south onto I-5. Eugene Police Department officers and the department's Major Collision Investigation team responded to the scene. By 6:15 p.m., the Oregon Department of Transportation had formally reported the eastbound Exit 13 ramp closed.

Officials pronounced one person dead at the scene. The victim's identity was not released, with an EPD spokesperson citing the need to give the family time to notify relatives and friends before the name becomes public.

The broken power pole complicated recovery efforts significantly. With utility work required alongside the crash investigation, the ramp did not completely reopen until 1:40 a.m., according to an ODOT spokesperson. During those hours, eastbound Beltline access to I-5 was entirely cut off, and drivers were urged to seek alternate routes and monitor TripCheck for updated road conditions.

No information about the cause of the crash, the number of occupants in either vehicle, or whether anyone else was transported for injuries was immediately released by police. The Major Collision Investigation team's work at the scene was ongoing, and EPD said no additional details about the people involved would be released immediately.

The eastbound Beltline and I-5 interchange is one of Eugene's most heavily traveled connectors during the evening commute, carrying drivers headed south toward Springfield, Cottage Grove, and the Willamette Valley beyond. Wednesday's closure forced traffic to reroute through surface streets during peak hours.