A  truck driver named Lincoln Clayton Smith was arrested on Friday for killing seven people in a crash that happened on Interstate 5 in western Oregon, as confirmed by police authorities.

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Who is Lincoln Clayton Smith?

Lincoln Clayton Smith is 52-year-old, and a resident of North Highlands, California. As per the police report, Smith was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants, manslaughter, assault, and reckless driving.

According to Oregon State Police, Smith slammed the semi-truck into a passenger van. Eleven people were in the van when the crash happened. Six people died on the spot, one died while being airlifted to a hospital and four were wounded.

Smith was prosecuted and was held without bail in Marion County Jail. As the Salem Statesman Journal reported, at the prosecution, the 52-year-old denied sobriety test and was unable to answer common questions. Though, he accepted taking the “speed” was in possession of methamphetamine.

The horrific crash is now being called one of the state’s deadliest crashes in recent years. Oregon State Police has not made the names of the victims public till their families have been notified. They have also not released information on the conditions of the injured people.

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The incident shocked the community and prompted a thorough investigation by neighbourhood law enforcement officials. It also raises questions about the accident’s causes and steps that can be taken to avoid similar tragedies in the future come up as the investigation progresses.