On August 22, 2019, at about 11:15 p.m., Coos Bay Police Officers were patrolling the Empire district of Coos Bay. An officer observed a vehicle driving at a reckless speed westbound on Newmark Avenue. The vehicle failed to stop for several pedestrians in a crosswalk, nearly striking them. The vehicle passed the officer, who was parked near 7-Eleven. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle continued at a high rate of speed. The vehicle lost control near Newmark Avenue and Wasson Street and crashed into a brick planter box, catapulting it into several light poles and two trees. Two buildings were also damaged as a result of the crash. The vehicle was on fire when it came to a rest. Two Officers extricated the operator and extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The operator, Ethan Mason, of Coos Bay, was taken into custody for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Attempt to Elude in a vehicle and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. Mason was also cited for numerous traffic violations. Mason was transported to Bay Area Hospital, where he was cited and released to hospital staff for medical care. The Coos Bay Police Department was assisted at the scene by the North Bend Police Department, Oregon State Police, Coos Bay Fire Department, Bay Cities Ambulance, and Coos Bay Public Works.
