Davin Smith Killed, Lawrence Smith Jr., Annika Smith Injured in Truck Accident near Canyonville, OR

Basic Facts

Crash date: April 6, 2026

Crash location: Interstate 5 near mile marker 90 in Douglas County, OR

People involved:

• Davin Jack Smith, 18
• Annika Jace Smith, 18
• Lawrence Wayne Smith Jr., 60
• Ivan Amadeo Gonzalez, 19
• Unidentified truck driver, 61

Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash? Unknown

Did authorities recommend criminal charges? Yes

Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash? Unknown

Accident Report

Douglas County, OR — April 6, 2026, Davin Smith was killed and Lawrence Smith Jr. and Annika Smith were injured in a truck accident at about 3 p.m. on Interstate 5/Pacific Highway.

Authorities said a 2014 Freightliner semi-truck stalled in the outside lane while climbing a hill near Canyonville before it was struck from behind by a Honda CR-V, causing both vehicles to catch fire.

Honda driver Davin Jack Smith, 18, died at the scene of the crash, while his father, 61-year-old Lawrence Wayne Smith Jr., and twin sister, Annika Jace Smith, were flown to an area hospital with serious injuries, according to authorities. Another passenger, 19-year-old Ivan Amadeo Gonzalez, suffered minor injuries.

The truck driver, who reportedly had stalled his truck several times while trying to drive up the hill, is believed to have been impaired at the time of the crash, authorities said. He was arrested on charges of manslaughter and driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Douglas County crash at this time.

How Did This Accident Occur?

Police said this crash happened after a semi-truck stalled on a steep section of Interstate 5 near Canyonville, but it’s not clear why the truck stalled. That typically occurs when the driver doesn’t shift properly when driving on a grade, but it also could have been the result of a mechanical issue. Either way, the driver should have turned on his hazard lights after the truck stalled to alert other drivers that it wasn’t moving. These are things that investigators should look at in their probe.

The driver’s apparent issues in navigating the hill and the allegation that he was intoxicated means investigators should look at his employer’s hiring practices and training methods. I handled a case once involving a company that hired a driver who had been fired multiple times, then acted surprised when he caused a serious accident. That is not how accountability works.

This crash deserves a thorough investigation so the grieving families knows everyone who played a role in this accident.

Do you know anything that could help with this investigation? Let us know in the comments.