Salem man dies in single-vehicle crash on I-5 near Woodburn

A 76-year-old Salem man died Thursday morning after veering off Interstate 5 and crashing into a tree head-on, according to Oregon State Police.

Dale Heggem was driving northbound south of Woodburn when he drove off the freeway at a high speed onto the shoulder and then struck a tree head-on on the driver’s side of the vehicle, state police said.

Heggem was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said I-5 was open during the investigation, but the slow lane was shut down for about four hours.

Makenzie Elliott covers breaking news and public safety for The Register-Guard. Reach her at MElliott@gannett.com. Find her on Twitter at @makenzielliott.