Hwy. 38 Fatality, July 3

News Alert from the Oregon State Police for Wednesday, July 2, 5:10 p.m.  “Oregon State Police: Fatal Crash Hwy 38 MP 6. Vehicle into Umpqua River, one confirmed fatality, one lane blocked. Info to be released later.”  News release from OSP at 9:39 p.m.  Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause of Wednesday afternoon’s fatal crash after a sport utility vehicle went into the Umpqua River as it traveled along Highway 38 about six miles east of Reedsport in Douglas County. The victim’s name will be released Thursday.  According to Lieutenant Steve Mitchell, on July 2, 2014 at approximately 3:49 p.m., a sport utility vehicle driven by an adult male was traveling westbound on Highway 38 near milepost 6. For an unknown reason, it traveled off the highway into the Umpqua River where it became submerged. ODOT employees came across the crash scene and reported it to law enforcement and local emergency responders.  Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT personnel went into the river and confirmed the driver was deceased. US Coast Guard personnel responded to the scene with a boat and helicopter, and along with OSP Fish & Wildlife Division troopers in a second boat, they searched the river for any other possible occupants. Emergency responders determined the driver was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash.  OSP troopers from the Coos Bay Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Senior Trooper Dave Timm is the lead investigator. The victim was not using safety restraints.