Mark Steven Sewell dies in fatal Salem motorcycle crash
Fatal Salem motorcycle crash claims life of Mark Steven Sewell – Obituary
A tragic accident occurred in Salem, Oregon, when 27-year-old Mark Steven Sewell lost his life after his motorcycle crashed into a concrete barrier and sent him plummeting 30 feet off a bridge.
According to a statement from the Salem Police Department, the incident took place on April 18 as Sewell was riding his motorcycle eastbound on the Center Street Bridge. Police reports indicate that Sewell lost control of the motorcycle, leading to a collision with the barrier.
The force of the crash propelled Sewell over the barrier, causing him to fall approximately 30 feet to the ground below, where he was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash prompted authorities to close the southbound off-ramp to Front Street for over two hours to conduct an investigation.
This incident marks the ninth major traffic accident and fatality in Salem in 2024, according to police statistics.
Just days earlier, another fatal crash occurred a few miles away when 22-year-old David Joel Luna lost his life after his Honda collided with a Mercedes at the intersection of Kuebler Boulevard Southeast and Battle Creek Road Southeast. That crash, reported by KOIN and FOX 12, also caused a power outage in the surrounding area after one of the vehicles struck an electricity utility box.
In March, 33-year-old Joshua Noel Guerra was killed in a collision on Kuebler Boulevard when he ran a red light and struck an SUV at the intersection with Liberty Road South, as reported by the Statesman Journal, KGW, and FOX 12.
Traffic collisions remain a leading cause of death in the U.S., particularly for those aged 1 to 54, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Department of Transportation (DOT) reported that 42,514 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. in 2022.
The Salem Police Department has urged local drivers to exercise caution and reminded the community that traffic violations can be reported online, where radar reading boards can also be requested.
For more updates, subscribe to PEOPLE’s daily newsletter.
Fatal Salem motorcycle crash claims life of Mark Steven Sewell – Obituary A tragic accident occurred in Salem, Oregon, when 27-year-old Mark Steven Sewell lost his life after his motorcycle crashed into a concrete barrier and sent him plummeting 30 feet off a bridge. According to a statement from the Salem Police Department, the incident…
Fatal Salem motorcycle crash claims life of Mark Steven Sewell – Obituary A tragic accident occurred in Salem, Oregon, when 27-year-old Mark Steven Sewell lost his life after his motorcycle crashed into a concrete barrier and sent him plummeting 30 feet off a bridge. According to a statement from the Salem Police Department, the incident…