Alleged drunken driver arraigned and released after head-on crash on Interstate 84 near The Dalles

Jul 8

By Joshuah Albert and Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., July 8, 2026 — A 22-year-old man from The Dalles was arraigned on multiple charges in connection with allegations of driving recklessly after consuming alcohol and driving the wrong way on Interstate 84 and causing a head-on collision that ultimately injured three people, according to Oregon State Police.

Tomas Blas Morales was arraigned on Tuesday, July 7 in Wasco County Circuit Court on charges of second-degree assault, third-degree assault, three counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count of reckless driving.

Second-degree assault is a Measure 11 Crime in the state of Oregon, meaning it draws a mandatory 5-year, 10-month prison sentence without the possibility of parole.

According to District Attorney’s charging document, Blas had a blood alcohol content of 0.15 - almost twice the legal limit in Oregon.

Blas was arrested and lodged at NORCOR jail in The Dalles Monday night after Oregon State Police said he allegedly drove the wrong way on Interstate 84, causing a head-on collision that seriously injured another driver near Exit 83.

According to Oregon State Police, troopers responded at about 10:49 p.m. Monday to a multi-vehicle injury crash blocking the eastbound lanes of I-84 near milepost 83.

Investigators said Tomas M. Blas Morales, 22, of The Dalles, was driving a 2023 Toyota Camry westbound in the eastbound lanes when it collided head-on with a 2011 Nissan Altima driven by Juan Viveros, 46, of Yakima, Washington. Blas’ passenger was also injured in the wreck, according to court records.

The impact caused one of the vehicles to become airborne before striking the trailer of a 2022 Peterbilt semi-truck, damaging the trailer. The semi was driven by Omar Jabbaar Hakeem, 63, of McMinnville who was also injured, according to Oregon State Police.

Viveros suffered serious injuries and was transported by Life Flight to a Portland-area hospital.

Blas Morales was arrested and lodged on charges including driving under the influence of intoxicants, second-degree assault, reckless driving and reckless endangering.

The crash temporarily closed a portion of Interstate 84 while crews cleared the scene and investigators documented the collision. The Oregon Department of Transportation assisted with the closure. Officers from the The Dalles Police Department assisted with the investigation, while deputies from the Wasco County Sheriff's Office helped fire and emergency medical crews extricate the injured driver.

During the arraignment on Tuesday, Judge Marion Weatherford set Blas’ bail at $25,000 after receiving a release report that stated he had no criminal history or a record of failing to appear in court.

Blas made bail by putting up $2,500 or 10 percent as required by law and was released from jail on Tuesday.

A Wasco County Grand Jury delivered a true bill today, July 8, indicating that the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that Blas committed the crimes. It acts as a green light to officially charge a suspect and move the case forward to a criminal trial.

Blas has been appointed a public defender and his attorney Connor B. McDermitt has submitted a request for pretrial discovery.