82-year-old Louis V. Johnson of Cave Junction is dead after the 2004 Dodge Ram he was driving collided with the rear of 03 Dodge pickup on Interstate 5 north of Rogue River snarling Friday afternoon northbound traffic.
After the collision the Dodge Ram swerved to the left into the center median, then skidded back across both northbound lanes where it rolled on the east side of the shoulder before coming to rest on it top in a drainage ditch with running water.
Both occupants in the Ram had to be extricated by Rogue River Fire and Rescue. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene and the passenger, Daniel J. Notter, also of Cave Junction, was transported by air ambulance to Rogue Valley Medical Center with critical injuries.
Matthew Bowden and his Passenger, Nicole Bowden were using safety restraints in the 03 Dodge pickup and were uninjured.
Traffic was reduced to a single lane for about two hours for the initial investigation, which continues.
