Mehama, OR : Driver hurt in crash on Highway 22 near Mehama on Friday, 28th June 2019

A man was flown to Salem Hospital following crash involving two vehicles on Highway 22 Friday morning.

Emergency crews were called to the crash about a mile west of the intersection of Highway 22 and Albany-Lyons Highway, just before 7 a.m., according to dispatch agency Metcom 911.

According to an investigation by Oregon State Police, Andrew John, 30, of Salem, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on Highway 22 when he attempted to pass another vehicle by driving on the right shoulder.

John sideswiped the other vehicle before losing control, driving off the opposite shoulder and crashing into a tree near milepost 21, according to officials.

Emergency crews arrived on scene to find the Jeep about 10 feet from the road, said Stayton Fire Chief Jack Carriger.

John was extracted from the crashed Jeep, transported to a waiting Life Flight helicopter and flown to Salem, according to Carriger.

Investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

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