Lane County, OR. — On December 30 at approximately 7 p.m., deputies with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded alongside fire personnel to a two-vehicle crash on Camas Swale Road near Sher Khan Road, west of Creswell, that was blocking the roadway.
Initial investigation indicated a 2003 Toyota Tacoma crossed the center line while negotiating a curve and collided with an oncoming 1979 Mack dump truck. The dump truck driver remained on scene and cooperated with investigators. The Tacoma’s driver, Randy Howard Beers, 65, of Creswell, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team was called to assist, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
While deputies were still working the fatal crash, another call came in at approximately 8 p.m. reporting an injury crash on Cloverdale Road near Dale Kuni Road, east of Creswell. Deputies and fire personnel responded, determining no criminal activity was involved. One occupant sustained injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
Approximately 10 minutes later, a third call reported a single-vehicle rollover crash on High Pass Road near Washburn Lane, west of Junction City. The driver, Ronald Wayne Pingelton, 37, of Eugene, was transported to a hospital with injuries. Due to deputies being tied up on the earlier crashes, an officer from the Junction City Police Department initially responded.
A Lane County deputy later contacted Pingelton at the hospital and observed signs of impairment. Following further investigation, Pingelton was arrested on suspicion of DUII.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Trauma Intervention Program of Lane County, South Lane County Fire & Rescue, Junction City Police Department, and Junction City Rural Fire Protection District for their assistance during the incidents.
About the Author
