News release CCSO. On 10/25/2017 at about 2:40 am, a Coos County Sheriff’s Deputy was northbound on North 6th Street in Coos Bay, Oregon when a 2000 Mazda Miata pulled out onto North 6th Street from the Walt’s Pourhouse parking lot without stopping. The Deputy continued to observe the vehicle’s driving behavior which became erratic. As the vehicle turned onto Highway 101 from Pine Ave, it accelerated too quickly, and turned to sharp to negotiate the turn. The driver, Michael Tuerk lost control of the vehicle, and the vehicle spun out of control. The vehicle left Highway 101, went over the railroad tracks, and hit a wooden post in the bay. The passenger, Donald Harvey, was seriously injured in the crash, and was transported to Bay Area Hospital by Bay Cities Ambulance. It was apparent to the deputy that the driver was impaired, and he was asked to submit to standard field sobriety tests. After the tests were completed, it was determined that alcohol played a factor in the crash, and the driver was impaired. Michael Tuerk was taken into custody, and was given a chance to take a breath test. Michael submitted to the test, and provided a breath sample which indicated his blood alcohol content was .16 percent, 2 times the legal limit. Tuerk was charged with Assault 3, for recklessly causing a serious physical injury to his passenger, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless endangering, and reckless driving. Mr. Tuerk was released on citation from the Coos Bay Police Department. The Coos Bay Police are handling the crash portion of the investigation.
