This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Police say a 19-year-old man caused a three-car crash when he fainted while holding his breath as he drove through a tunnel in Oregon.

According to a news release, Daniel J Calhon told investigators he fainted on 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 centreline and crashed head-on with a Ford Explorer.

Both vehicles struck the tunnel walls before a pickup hit the Camry. Four people suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say Calhon has been cited for reckless driving, three counts of reckless endangerment and fourth-degree assault.

Some people hold their breaths in tunnels as part of a game or superstition.

