Eugene, OR. – Official Release: At 4:50 p.m. on December 19, Eugene Police responded to a pedestrian-vehicle crash at West 11th Avenue and Willamette Street to assist Eugene Springfield Fire Department. The crash involved a Nissan Xterra and an 86-year-old male pedestrian.
The 69-year-old female driver of the Nissan was travelling north out of a parking lot at 1100 Willamette Street and as she turned west onto W. 11th Avenue, collided with the pedestrian who was walking south across W. 11th Avenue, not in a crosswalk. The driver stopped and was cooperative with investigators and along with bystanders and a medic unit travelling nearby, helped render aid. There was no indication of intoxication. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
EPD’s Major Collision Investigation team was called out. The majority of the 100 block of West 11th Avenue was blocked with neon yellow tape reading `Police Line, Do not cross`, and there were multiple marked police vehicles on scene. While MCI was conducting their work, a man later identified as 36-year-old Timothy Lee Stephens crossed the yellow police tape and entered the cordoned off area despite not being authorized to do so. He was told by an officer to leave the scene and Stephens refused. The officer repeated his instructions and Stephens disregarded him again and continued to walk through the perimeter. The officer and a sergeant took him into custody for Interfering with the Police. The officer had had to stop his criminal investigation of the crash to address Stephens entering the crime scene, and Stephen’s actions risked damaging evidence or altering the crime scene by entering and refusing to leave. Stephens was found to have warrants.
While Stephens was being placed in a police vehicle prior to transport, another man, 58-year-old Barry Edwin Bruner, also walked through the crime scene tape, and he stood right next to the victim`s clothing. He was also told to leave but began screaming profanities and threats at the officer. Bruner left, only to return and engage in the same behavior. He was arrested for Interfering with Police, Disorderly Conduct, and on warrants. Both men were transported to Lane County Jail on their charges. EPD Case 24-19316
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