A man has been arrested following a deadly early morning crash in Salem that left one person dead and another injured, according to the Salem Police Department.
Officers responded around 3:28 a.m. on March 28, 2026, to a two-vehicle crash on Lancaster Drive Northeast near Weathers Street Northeast. At the scene, police found a gray Ford Mustang with severe damage.
Authorities identified the driver of the Mustang as 54-year-old Daniel Lewis of Salem, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger, 31-year-old Kayla Meyer, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Salem Hospital for treatment.
Investigators say witnesses reported seeing a white Mercedes SUV traveling at a high rate of speed before crashing into the Mustang. The SUV reportedly fled the scene following the collision.
Officers later located the vehicle and its driver, identified as 35-year-old Romel Villarreal, a few blocks away. Villarreal was also taken to Salem Hospital for treatment before being arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail.
Police said Villarreal faces multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter, third-degree assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), reckless driving, reckless endangering, and failure to perform the duties of a driver.
The crash remains under investigation.
