SALEM, OR (March 28, 2026) – Daniel Lewis, 54, of Salem, was killed early Saturday morning in a two-vehicle crash involving an alleged impaired driver on Lancaster Drive.
According to the Salem Police Department, Lewis was driving a gray Ford Mustang near Willamette Town Center just before 3:30 a.m. when a white Mercedes SUV traveling at a high rate of speed struck his vehicle.
Lewis died at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision. A 31-year-old female passenger in his vehicle was transported to Salem Health Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the driver of the Mercedes, identified as 35-year-old Romel Villarreal, fled the scene following the crash. His vehicle was later found a few blocks away.
Villarreal was subsequently arrested and faces charges including second-degree manslaughter, third-degree assault, DUII, reckless driving, reckless endangering, and failure to perform the duties of a driver.
The crash remains under investigation.
