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.

THURSDAY, AUG. 29

• 2:19 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 99 at Scenic Avenue near Central Point that took the life of Robert Michael Lewis, 75, of Central Point. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a Nissan Rogue driven by a 76-year-old Central Point resident was headed north on Highway 99 and attempted to make a left turn onto Scenic Avenue against a flashing yellow light. A Chevrolet C25, driven by a 21-year-old Gold Hill man, was entering the intersection heading south on the highway on a green light when the vehicles hit nearly head-on, left the roadway and crashed into a pedestrian pole. Lewis, a passenger in the Nissan, was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died. The driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital. The Chevrolet’s driver was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Nissan’s driver was cited for failing to obey a traffic control device.

FRIDAY, AUG. 30

• 11:45 a.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 about 3 miles south of the Corvallis-Lebanon Highway exit that took the life of Dustin Andrew Brown, 45, of Sweet Home. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Brown was headed north on I-5 in a Hyundai Santa Fe when he made an evasive maneuver to avoid a rear-end collision and lost control. The vehicle rolled and Brown and two passengers, a 19-year-old Sweet Home woman and a 19-year-old Sweet Home man, were all ejected. The vehicle came to rest on top of the driver. Troopers and nearby motorists lifted the Hyundai off of him. A LifeFlight helicopter was activated but forced to cancel because of an airspace conflict with a civilian drone over the crash scene. Brown was declared deceased at the scene. The two passengers were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. Neither the driver nor the passengers are believed to have been wearing seatbelts.

• 10:34 p.m. — Troopers responded to a vehicle-pedestrian crash on Highway 99 about 4 miles north of Cottage Grove that took the life of David Paul Burns, 39, of Creswell. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Burns was walking north on the highway in the travel lane when he was struck by a Toyota Tundra driven by a 62-year-old Creswell man. Burns was declared deceased at the scene. The driver was not injured and cooperated with the investigation.

SATURDAY, AUG. 31

• 3:34 p.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 214 near Silver Falls State Park that took the life of David Dale Legan, 35, city of residence unknown. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Legan was driving a U-haul pickup west on Highway 214 when it left the roadway on a downhill corner and struck a large tree head-on with the truck coming to a rest on its side. Legan was pronounced deceased at the scene. Troopers said that he was not wearing a seatbelt.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 3

• 12:54 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 22 at the intersection with Highway 51 about 4 miles west of Salem that took the life of David Lee Sterrett, 69, of Dallas. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a 76-year-old Otis man driving a Lincoln MKZ attempted a left turn from Highway 22 onto Highway 51 into the path of a Honda motorcycle operated by Sterrett. The motorcycle hit the driver’s side door. Sterrett was declared deceased at the scene. The Lincoln’s driver and a passenger, a 76-year-old Otis woman, reportedly suffered minor injuries and were transported for medical treatment.

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OTHER NEWS

• Sept. 5 — Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife is reaching out to the public to try to identify a person responsible for the unlawful killing and waste of a 5-by-5 bull elk in Linn County. 

Troopers from Albany Area Command responded to a report of a bull elk shot with a centerfire rifle sometime between Aug. 30 and Aug. 31. The bull elk was shot near the Lulay and Roaring River mainlines of the Snow Peak permit area east of Lebanon. The animal was gutted, partially skinned and left to waste, troopers reported.

Anyone with information is asked to contact an Albany Fish and Wildlife trooper through OSP dispatch at 800-442-2068 or by dialing *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Those calling are asked to refer to Case No. SP24285185. Those with information may remain anonymous and a TIP reward for cash or preference points will be offered for information leading to a citation or arrest in the case.