Driver of Stolen Vehicle Wreaks Havoc
It is believed that more than 2 dozen vehicles were damaged along the Oregon Coast along highway 101 as a driver careened through traffic pushing some vehicles and sideswiping others. OSP first received a report of a reckless driver that pushed another vehicle into traffic at a stop light in North Bend. The vehicle, a Green Dodge pickup truck then proceeded to head north on 101 striking multiple vehicles and causing on occupant in a vehicle to be transported to Peace harbor hospital in Florence. OSP observed the vehicle near the trailhead at Siltcoos Lake. The vehicle crashed through a privacy gate and got stuck in the sand. OSP arrested 47 year old Keith Simpson of Eureka California. He was lodged in the Lane County Jail on several counts including reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. The truck he was driving had been reported stolen in Eureka. OSP is asking any witnesses or victims of any of the crashes to contact OSP by dialing *OSP and leave information for Trooper Douglas Laird.
More Candidates
The field is widening as the deadline approaches for city council elections. The filing deadline is August 14th. Last week local businesswoman Jo Beaudreau filed a preliminary petition to run for Florence City Mayor and Businessman and current port commissioner Bill Meyer has also filed a preliminary petition for a seat on the city council. That puts the total at 4 for the two city council positions that will be open and two for Florence city Mayor including incumbent Mayor Joe Henry. Meyer and Beaudreau are both in the process of collecting signatures.
Body Identified
The Oregon State Police have identified the deceased adult white female that washed up on the beach between the Devil’s Punchbowl and Otter Rock. The woman washed ashore on Thursday morning. she has been identified as 58 year old Annette Fagan of Portland. OSP did not comment on whether foul play was expected or if Fagan had been reported missing.
New COVID-19 Cases – Weekend Numbers
Over the weekend the Oregon Health Authority has reported 994 new cases of the coronavirus. There were also 10 new deaths to report. During the same period Lane County reported 36 new cases bringing the total number of cases in Lane County to 518 with no new cases reported for the Florence Area. The death toll for Oregon is at 328. Multnomah and Washington Counties are still the hardest hit by COVID-19 with numbers still heavy in Umatilla County.
