State Police Trooper Nathman responded to a report of a two vehicle crash that occurred on Hwy 101 south of Yachats near the Lincoln-Lane County line. Investigation showed the driver of a northbound Chrysler 300, 87-year old Ronald L. Kelley of Waldport drove past a highway flagger with his stop sign displayed, drove outside of his lane, and crashed into an unoccupied work truck. He reportedly admitted to looking out at the ocean and cited that as the reason he did not stop for the flagger and why he drove into the wrong lane. Mr. Kelley was cited for careless driving after being given a courtesy ride home.
On 03/01/2024 at approximately 06:50 p.m., a car crash occurred on hwy-20 westbound near
milepost 18. Multiple passing motorists alerted nearby Oregon State Police to the collision. A red Jeep Cherokee struck a blue Toyota Sienna from behind. The two occupants of the Sienna were taken to the hospital. The driver of the Cherokee, identified as 41-year old Nathaniel R. Brown was found to be intoxicated and was arrested and lodged in the Lincoln
County Jail on charges of DUII, Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endagering, criminal mischief and assualt. The highway was partially closed for one hour. Toledo Fire Department assisted on scene.
On 3/4/2024 the driver of a 2007 Nissan Versa, 49-year old Beth K. Smith was driving east on hwy 34 when for unknown reasons she left the lane of travel and crashed into the shoulder of the road. The passenger left the scene before they could be identified, and Smith did not provide information on the passenger's identity. She was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport. After an investigation Smith was arrested for DUII. A
search warrant for samples of the her blood was petitioned for and granted. Due to injuries sustained from the crash Smith was cited and released.
State Police Trooper Kolacz stopped the driver of a Hyundai for speeding near milepost 10 on highway 18. During the contact the driver 54-year old Sandra A. Martin of Oregon City Trooper Kolacz noticed she began to show signs of impairment. She performed one safety field sobriety test voluntarily and refused other requested tests. After the investigation Martin was arrested, and provided a valid breath sample showing she had a .21 blood alcohol content, over twice the legal limit. She was transported to and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for DUII, Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangering.
