Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Oregon State Police. All crashes with fatalities may not be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

• 6:51 a.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 26 about 10 miles northwest of Warm Springs that took the life of Kyle D. Kircher, 30, of Happy Valley. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a Toyota Scion driven by Kircher left the roadway at the Mill Creek Bridge and landed approximately 250 feet below on the canyon floor. Kircher was declared deceased at the scene. OSP added that Kircher was reported as suicidal at 12:19 a.m. and the vehicle was located in the canyon by the Warm Springs Police Department at 1:05 a.m. Due to the location of the vehicle, dark lighting conditions and safety concerns, the recovery was delayed until daylight.

SUNDAY, MAY 5

• 1:02 p.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 101 about 11 miles northeast of Bandon that took the life of Ryan Scott Sapp, 38, of Grants Pass. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a Nissan Pathfinder driven by Sapp left the roadway for unknown reasons, struck an embankment on the northbound side of the highway, rolled and came to rest upside down in a ditch. Sapp was declared deceased at the scene. A passenger, a 33-year-old Grants Pass woman, was seriously injured and transported to a local hospital.

Other OSP Operations

MONDAY, MAY 6

A domestic violence suspect led Oregon State troopers on a high-speed pursuit early this week through Marion and Clackamas counties.

On May 6 at approximately 11:50 a.m., troopers from the Salem Patrol Office were investigating a domestic assault that occurred the previous evening on Highway 214 near Silver Falls State Park. Troopers located the suspect’s vehicle on 72nd Avenue near Joseph Street Southeast east of Salem.  

The vehicle eluded troopers and ultimately fled northbound on Interstate 5 from the Salem area at speeds over 115 mph. Troopers and Salem Police Department officers pursued the vehicle until it became stuck in a field off Northeast Eilers Road south of Wilsonville.  

The suspect, Matthew James Rodgers, 33, of McMinnville, refused to get out of the vehicle and was armed with a hatchet. After negotiations with Rodgers were unsuccessful, a chemical irritant was deployed into the vehicle by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Rodgers then exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.  

Rodgers was charged with burglary, attempt to elude police, reckless driving, reckless endangering, criminal mischief, fourth-degree (domestic), strangulation, harassment (domestic), coercion (domestic) and unlawful use of a weapon.  

Oregon State Police was assisted by the Salem Police Department, Woodburn Police Department, Canby Police Department and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.