On Friday, March 1, 2018, at about 5:45 p.m., Oregon State Police Troopers from Coos Bay Area Command and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle head-on collision near milepost 22 on State Route 42. Preliminary investigation revealed, a white Nissan Frontier, operated by Garrison Chance DEMAIN, age 22, of Coquille, was traveling westbound on SR 42 near milepost 22, for reasons still under investigation, crossed the center-line and collided into an eastbound red Ford Escape, operated by Kathy Ann HEBERT, age 57, of Myrtle Point. The passenger of the Ford, Daniel Thomas MC CUTCHEON, age 51, of Coos Bay, was pronounced deceased at the scene. DEMAIN was transported to the Coquille Valley Hospital for treatment and HEBERT was transported to the Bay Area Hospital for treatment and later transferred to OSHU by Air Ambulance. OSP was assisted by Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Myrtle Point Police Department, Myrtle Point Fire Department, Myrtle Point Ambulance, Bridge Fire Department, North Bend Police Department, Coquille Police Department, and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). State Route 42 was closed for five hours following the crash. Speed, alcohol use, and reckless driving are being investigated as possible contributing factors in the crash. The investigation is ongoing. Witnesses were identified as having observed the Nissan Frontier eastbound on SR 42 prior to the crash. It is believed that other witnesses, who may have observed the Nissan’s driving behavior before the crash, may have left the scene prior to speaking with an investigator. Police are requesting anyone who witnessed the crash or the Nissan’s driving prior to the crash to contact the Oregon State Police Southern Command Dispatch Center at (541) 269-5000 and refer to OSP case #SP18077185.
