A 19-YEAR-OLD MAN told investigators he caused a three-car crash when he fainted while holding his breath as he drove through a tunnel northwest of Portland, Oregon State Police said.
Daniel J. Calhon told investigators he fainted Sunday afternoon while holding his breath in the Highway 26 tunnel near the community of Manning. His car, a 1990 Toyota Camry, drifted across the centre line and crashed head-on with another vehicle. Both then struck the tunnel walls before a pickup hit the Camry.
The drivers and their two passengers all suffered non-life-threatening injuries while the two people in the pickup were not hurt.
Calhon was cited for reckless driving, three counts of reckless endangerment and fourth-degree assault in Washington County Circuit Court.
State Police Lt. Gregg Hastings said Monday he’s not sure why Calhon was holding his breath, but some people hold their breaths in tunnels as part of a game or superstition.
Hastings told The Oregonian newspaper investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
“It is odd,” he said.
