2 dead after wrong-way Christmas Eve crash on I-5 causes vehicles to catch fire

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A Salem woman driving the wrong way on I-5 South caused a head-on crash that resulted in two deaths after both vehicles caught on fire early Christmas Eve, Oregon State Police announced.

The woman was identified as 35-year-old Cassie Martinez.

OSP responded to the crash around 1:30 a.m. in Linn County near milepost 235.

"The preliminary investigation indicated a Dodge Durango, operated by (Martinez) was reportedly traveling southbound at high speeds in the northbound lanes when it struck a northbound Mercedes Sprinter Van," OSP said.

Martinez was declared dead at the scene of the crash. One of the passengers of the Mercedes, Linling Wang, 34, was also pronounced dead at the scene, OSP said.

The driver of the Mercedes, as well as the other passenger, suffered minor injuries and were each taken to an area hospital.

The crash is under investigation.