FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: October 10, 2024

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Updated 10/10/2024 | 1:45 p.m.

Yesterday morning, October 9, Salem Police Traffic Team officers arrested Terrance Harley Quackenbush-Benson for his involvement in the fatal collision that resulted in the death of Blanca Franco-Ramos and Heriberto Rangel-Rangel and the injury of several others on September 16.

The Traffic Team investigation determined the truck Quackenbush-Benson was driving crossed the southbound travel lane striking the pick-up truck driven by Franco-Ramos head-on, leaving her and Rangel-Rangel deceased at the scene and a front seat passenger injured. A passenger in Quackenbush-Benson’s truck was also injured. He and the two passengers were transported to Salem Health with serious injuries. The passenger in the Franco-Ramos truck remains hospitalized.

After an extensive investigation, Quackenbush-Benson, age 29 of Springfield, was arrested at the Springfield Police Department without incident. He was lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:

• Manslaughter, first-degree, two counts
• Assault, second-degree, two counts
• Driving under the influence
• Reckless driving
• Reckless endangering, four counts

With Quackenbush-Benson in jail custody, all further inquiries into the investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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UPDATE 09/18/2024 | 5:05 p.m.

Next of kin notifications have been made for this crash. The deceased are identified as Blanca Mariela Franco-Ramos, age 28, of Mt. Angel, and Heriberto Rangel-Rangel, age 46, of Silverton. Both were traveling in the same vehicle.

The incident remains an active investigation, and as such, no arrest or citation has occurred.

The Salem Police Department has responded to 18 fatal vehicular-related crashes during 2024 resulting in 19 fatalities.

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Originally published 9/16/2024 | 3:23 p.m.

Salem, Ore. — The 1100 block of Cordon Rd SE was closed for approximately four hours today, Monday September 16, for a head-on collision involving two pick-up trucks. 

At approximately 10:09 a.m., Salem Police officers and emergency personnel responded to the crash on Cordon Rd SE.  This section of Cordon Rd SE is within city limits of Salem. The road was closed from the time of the crash until about 2:15 p.m.

An adult male and adult female occupant of one of the vehicles were found deceased upon arrival of emergency personnel. Three other adult occupants were transported to Salem Health with serious injuries. 

The crash is still under investigation and release of occupant’s names are pending, due to notification of next of kin.

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