On June 26, 2017 at approximately 1:30PM, the Oregon State Police, Douglas County SO and emergency personnel responded to the report of a vehicle which left the roadway on Highway 138E near milepost 44, in Roseburg. When emergency personnel arrived on scene, they located a vehicle on its top, completely submerged in the North Umpqua River. Preliminary investigation revealed that a maroon 2013 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling eastbound on Highway 138E near milepost 44, when for an unknown reason the vehicle drifted off the roadway, struck several boulders, went down a steep embankment, and came to rest on its top in the North Umpqua River. The driver of the Chevrolet, John Boyd STAPLES, age 91 and his passenger, Elizabeth Ann STAPLES, age 91 of Tualatin, were pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no other vehicles involved in the collision. At the time of the collision John and Elizabeth STAPLES were wearing safety restraints and there was airbag deployment. Next of kin notification was made at 11:50PM to STAPLES’ daughter.
