Boardman Man Faces Charges After Alleged Intentional Highway Collision

A local man is in custody following a disturbing incident on I-84 that authorities are calling an intentional act. Morrow County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported two-vehicle collision near the Boardman exit late Tuesday afternoon.

According to the preliminary sheriff’s office report, the driver of a pickup truck, identified as 34-year-old Boardman resident Carlos Mendez, allegedly swerved across the eastbound lanes, striking a sedan. The driver of the sedan, a woman from Hermiston, was treated for minor injuries at the scene and released.

Witness statements at the scene indicated the collision did not appear accidental. “He just came right over into her lane, no signal, nothing. It looked deliberate,” stated one motorist who provided a statement to deputies. Based on evidence gathered and these accounts, Mendez was taken into custody and transported to the Morrow County Jail.

He now faces potential charges of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. The exact motive remains under investigation by local authorities. Sheriff’s officials have not released further details, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.

The incident caused significant traffic delays during the evening commute, backing up traffic for nearly two miles until the vehicles could be cleared. The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office is asking any other witnesses, especially those with dashcam footage of the events leading up to the crash, to contact their non-emergency line.