Semi-truck driver in Interstate 5 crash that killed 7 farmworkers indicted on 13 charges

Salem Statesman Journal

Two Oregon State Police officers walk along northbound Interstate 5 where seven people were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Thursday, May 18 in Marion County.

A Marion County Grand Jury on Tuesday indicted Lincoln Clayton Smith, 52, on 13 charges related to a fatal crash on Interstate 5.

Smith faces seven charges of manslaughter in deaths of seven farmworkers killed when the 18-wheeler Smith was driving veered off the highway, striking a passenger van and another parked semi-truck on May 18. A Grand Jury also indicted Smith for charges of assault, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of intoxicants, according to court records.

Smith's court appearance Tuesday morning was brief, but family members and coworkers of the victims filled the courtroom.

Smith allegedly was under the influence of a controlled substance and an inhalant, according to charging documents.

Lincoln Smith looks at the judge through glass during his May 19 arraignment at the Marion County Court Annex.

Oregon State Police identified the victims as: Eduardo Lopez, 31, of Gervais; Alejandro Jimenez Hernandez, 36, of Gervais; Josue Garcia Garcia, 30, of Salem; Luis Enrique Gomez Reyes, 30, of Woodburn; Javier Suarez, 58, of Woodburn; Alejandra Espinoza Carpio, 39; and Juan Carlos Leyva Carrillo, 37, of Woodburn.

All 11 people killed or injured in the crash were contract farmworkers for J. Ruiz Farm Labor Contracting. They had been working in a sugar beet field outside Albany and were on their way home for the day, said administrative manager Anmarie Ruiz.

Ruiz said the devastation from their loss is "immeasurable."

Deputy district attorney David Wilson said Smith had at least 17 arrests in California and nine previous convictions. California court records show several felony charges against him, but court officials said details were not immediately available.

The company featured on the truck Smith was driving did not respond to requests for comment.

Smith is scheduled to appear in court again on June 6.

Shannon Sollitt covers agricultural workers throughReport for America, a program that aims to support local journalism and democracy by reporting on under-covered issues and communities. Send tips, questions and comments to ssollitt@statesmanjournal.com