On 3/08/2024 at approximately 2:04 PM, Oregon State Police Trooper Kolacz responded to a two vehicle, non-injury crash on Hwy 101 near Driftwood Beach. Upon arriving on scene, the northbound lane was blocked. Investigation revealed the driver of a Ford Explorer was stopped partially in the northbound lane attempting to make a U-turn into the southbound lane. The driver of a Jaguar XJ6 was northbound when the driver did not notice that the Ford was stopped and crashed into the back of it. The 86-year old driver of the Jaguar John W. Smith of Waldport was cited for careless driving. OSP was assisted by Seal Rock RFPD and ODOT.
On 3/10/24 State Police Trooper Katsikis came upon a crashed Jeep Liberty located in the west bound embankment on Highway-34 near milepost 6. The Jeep appeared to have driven outside of its lane before crashing into the embankment. The Jeep was not occupied and was taped off to be removed. The registered owner was contacted, and the driver was identified as a 16-year old juvenile from Caldwell Idaho.
On 3/14/2024 at approximately 11AM a westbound Toyota Camry caught fire near milepost 19 of US Highway 20. The driver exited the vehicle safely. Toledo Fire extinguished the fire and ODOT provided traffic control. No injuries were reported. A Honda Element was parked nearby and received minor fire damage.
On 3/15/2024 State Police Trooper Nathman attempted a traffic stop on a subject riding a pocket bike along highway 20 near Pioneer Mt. Loop with a flat tire and no helmet. The rider later identified as 39-year old Shane D. Grimes of Portland attempted to flee on the bike multiple times. He was taken into custody after he was located hiding in the bushes and attempted to flee on foot from police. Medical clearance was provided by Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital before he was lodged in the Lincoln County jail on two counts of attempt to elude on foot and with a vehicle and escape 3.
On 3/18/2024 State Police Trooper Katsikis responded to a two car crash with possible injuries on Highway 229 near milepost 31 at the intersection with Yasek Lp. The northbound driver of a Ford Edge was struck in the right driver door by a Ford Explorer pulling out from Yasek Lp turning southbound onto 229 and the driver failed to see the northbound Edge and drove into the side, causing that car to spin into the oncoming lane. The driver of the Ford Edge was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities hospital by ambulance. The driver of the Ford Explorer 69-year old Laurie J. Hanson was issued a citation for failure to obey a traffic control device.
