Selma crash victims ID’d
From our weekly issue dated April 9, 2008
Two adults and three young children in a fatal accident in Selma died because of “respiratory failure resulting from a vehicle crash and an explosive fire event,” said Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) quoting the district medical examiner.
Those who died in the March 27 collision of a 1995 Mercury Tracer station wagon with two oak trees were identified on Thursday, April 3 by JCSO and the medical examiner as:
Cave Junction resident Sara Jacqueline Turner, 25, believed to be the driver; Nicole Lynn Horn, 14, of Eugene, believed to be in the right-front seat with Turner; and rear-seat passengers Chaz Albert Lindsay, 23, Turner’s domestic partner, and Sierra Shay Snyder, 2, both of Cave Junction; and David Cubb Turner, 5, of Springfield.
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Turner is the mother of David, who was visiting; and Sierra. Horn was a family friend, said JCSO.
Illinois Valley Fire District, American Medical Response and JCSO were dispatched to a spot near milepost 7.5 of Deer Creek Road at 4:27 p.m. on March 27. When emergency personnel arrived, they found a vehicle fully engulfed in flames.
After the fire was extinguished, the charred remains of five persons were discovered inside the vehicle. JCSO continued:
“The bodies of all five occupants were badly burned as a result of a gasoline-fueled explosive-event fire.
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“Investigators believe that Turner’s car was westbound on Deer Creek Road and had just come out of a left-hand curvature. Evidence at the scene indicates that she lost control of the vehicle, crossed over the opposite lane, went through a field fence, and struck two oak trees.
“Roadway evidence and witness accounts indicate that Turner’s vehicle was being driven erratically moments before the crash.
“Due to the severe fire damage to the vehicle,” said JCSO, “the use of seat belts or child safety systems could not be confirmed. There was no immediate evidence of drug or alcohol use by the vehicle driver. However, toxicology samples were obtained, and the results are anticipated in 10 to 12 weeks.
“Investigators have no immediate evidence that vehicle failure contributed to the accident or that another vehicle was involved.”
The investigation remains open. Anyone with information is asked to phone JCSO detectives at 474-5152.
