JUNE 24 — LANE COUNTY – On June 24, 2016 at about 5:15PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a motorcycle versus a pickup on Highway 36 near milepost 7 (near Mapleton). Preliminary investigation revealed a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling eastbound when it failed to negotiate a corner, crossed the centerline, and struck a 1999 Ford Ranger head-on. The motorcyclist, Michael R LUCIER, age 56, of Swisshome, Oregon, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Ford, Rodney D PRUETT, age 23, of Florence was not injured. There were intermittent lane closures on Highway 36 while the investigation was conducted. OSP was assisted by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Florence Police. JUNE 25 — JOSPEHINE COUNTY – On June 25, 2016 at about 8PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Highway 46 at milepost 7 (Caves Highway near Cave Junction). The 911 caller, who was a passing motorist, reporting seeing a motorcycle partially down the embankment. The caller also reported the rider was not breathing. Emergency crews arrived on scene and pronounced the motorcyclist deceased. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2001 Triumph motorcycle was eastbound on Highway 46 at milepost 7 when it left the roadway on a corner. The motorcycle struck a tree and the rider, Patrick Michael DALEY, age 57, of Cave Junction, was thrown down the embankment. Roadway evidence indicates excessive speed was a factor. Highway 46 was closed for approximately 1 hour during the investigation. OSP was assisted by the Illinois Valley Fire Department. JUNE 26 — LINN COUNTY – On June 26, 2016 at about 6:45AM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a truck versus motorcycle collision on Interstate 5 at the 235 interchange (just north of Albany). Information received is the truck driver failed to remain at the scene and left the area. Preliminary information indicates a 1995 Kenworth truck tractor towing a chip trailer had been traveling southbound on Old Salem Road. The truck began to make a left turn onto the Interstate 5 southbound onramp, but turned in front of a northbound 1995 Kawasaki motorcycle. The motorcyclist crashed as a result of the truck turning into its path. The rider, Kevin R ARGO, age 39, of Lebanon was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency personnel. The operator of the truck, Ruben L DEFOOR, age 79, of Albany, was later located and is cooperating with the investigation. The onramp was closed for several hours as the investigation was conducted. OSP was assisted by Albany Fire, Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation. This is an ongoing investigation. More information will be released when available.
