A California truck driver responsible for a deadly crash on Interstate 5 in Oregon that killed seven farmworkers has been sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison.
Lincoln Smith, 54, was driving a 53-foot, 55,000-pound semi-truck north on I-5 on May 18, 2023, when he veered off the road near the Santiam River rest stop, according to Marion County court officials. His truck slammed into a parked van carrying 11 farmworkers, pushing it into another parked semi-truck. Six victims died at the scene, while a seventh died en route to the hospital. The remaining three survivors suffered severe injuries and continue to experience ongoing pain.
During the trial, prosecutors revealed that Smith had felt fatigued for two hours before the crash but failed to pull over. The impact propelled the van 218 feet, leaving behind one of the deadliest crashes in Oregon history, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
A Marion County jury convicted Smith on seven counts of second-degree manslaughter, three counts of third-degree assault, and reckless driving. Judge Daniel Wren imposed consecutive sentences for the manslaughter and assault charges, totaling 48 years and three months behind bars.
Family members of the victims shared emotional testimonies during sentencing, describing their grief and suffering. Many had immigrated to the U.S. in search of a better life, only to have their loved ones taken in a preventable tragedy.
Defense attorneys had requested a 12.5-year sentence, arguing that Smith never intended to harm anyone. However, prosecutors emphasized that his decision to keep driving despite exhaustion led to devastating consequences.
Smith was acquitted of DUI charges, but the court ruled his reckless actions were enough to warrant a lengthy sentence.
