Attempt to Elude, Hwy. 42, Feb. 8

CCSO release – On 02/04/21 at about 12:42 hours a silver SUV approached a traffic control area, due to a previous crash on Hwy 42 near Garden Valley Road. The driver of the vehicle intentionally crashed into several vehicles at the location including at least one Oregon Department of Hwy (ODOT) vehicle. During the initial incident the driver of the suspect vehicle, later identified as 55 year old Robert K. Schuster of Roseburg, Recklessly Endangered six individuals and endangered three Hwy workers. Mr. Schuster continued to drive through the flagging placed out while also impacting a bank. Mr. Schuster continued Westbound on Hwy 42 with two flat tires and heavy driver side damage to his vehicle. While exiting the area Mr. Schuster passed an on-duty Deputy Sheriff who was waiting to pass the traffic revision from the west side. The Deputy immediately noticed the heavy damage and flat tires and attempted to stop the silver SUV. A short vehicle pursuit ensued at speeds of approximately 30 mph. Eventually the vehicle shut off and was disabled in the westbound lanes of travel due to damaged sustained from the incident. Mr. Schuster failed to exit the vehicle upon commands by Deputies. While waiting for additionally officers, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center advised that the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office had been dealing with Mr. Schuster all day. Dispatch further advised it was relayed by Douglas County that Mr. Schuster was, “Homicidal and Suicidal.” After a hasty plan was made, Deputies were successful in removing Mr. Schuster from his vehicle without injury to Mr. Schuster or responding officers. Traffic was halted in both west and eastbound lanes for less than 10 minutes while Mr. Schuster was taken into custody. Mr. Schuster was transported to Bay Area Hospital and paperwork filled out for a “Police Officer Hold” for mental evaluation. Mr. Schuster will be referred to the D.A.’s Office on several charges stemming from the incident. The case was investigated by Deputies from the Coos County Sheriff’s Office and Troopers from the Oregon State Police.