Transport Driver Cited, Oct. 17

Two people were injured Thursday morning in a collision between a transport van and passenger car on Highway 101 north of Florence at the Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park intersection. Oregon State Police (OSP) investigated the crash and cited the transport van’s driver. On October 16, 2014 at approximately 7:04 a.m., a 2000 Honda Civic four-door driven by RONALD G. TAVES, age not available, from Yachats, was northbound on Highway 101 near milepost 176. A Northwest Youth Authority transport van driven by JOSHUA ABEL, age 21, from Mesa, Arizona, pulled out from Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park into the northbound lane where the car struck it on the left side. RONALD TAVES and his passenger, JOAN TAVES, age 66, received non-life threatening injuries and were transported by ambulance to Peace Harbor Medical Center in Florence. They were treated and released from the hospital. Both occupants were using safety restraints and the car’s airbags deployed. ABEL and his nine passengers were not injured. Subsequent investigation led OSP to cite ABEL for Fail to Yield Right of Way. Lead investigator is Trooper Rodney Brock. OSP was assisted at the scene by Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue and ODOT. The northbound lane was closed about two hours.