On September 15, 2022, James Cam Johnson IV was sentenced for his actions involving a multiple fatality collision in May of 2021. Johnson pleaded to all counts-DUII (.18%), Criminal Mischief 2, Assault 3, Assault 4 x2, and three counts of Manslaughter 2. The Honorable Vogt sentenced Johnson to a total of 225 months with the Department of Corrections and 3 years of Post Parole Supervision. All 225 months will be served pursuant to Ballot Measure 11. He will not be eligible for release until 2040. Families of the deceased attended the proceedings via simultaneous electronic transmission from the country of India. Court interpreter services were provided to the families in both the Hindi and Tamil languages and all were able to provide a statement to the Court. The collision resulted from Johnson attempting to pass a long line of westbound vehicles on Hwy 58 in a do not pass zone. Johnson was unable to pass all the vehicles and when attempting to reenter westbound lanes, sideswiped another westbound vehicle before then colliding head-on with an eastbound vehicle. The collision resulted in the death of three of the four occupants in the eastbound vehicle. A fourth occupant sustained serious injuries including broken leg, broken hip, and a broken spine. The occupants of the side-swiped vehicle also sustained injuries, but not to the extent of the other victims. Arrest of James Cam Johnson IV – On Friday, December 17, 2021, James Cam Johnson IV (31) was arrested and lodged in the Lane County Jail in connection with a May 30, 2021 motor vehicle crash that resulted in a triple fatality. Johnson was charged with Manslaughter 2nd x 3, Assault 3rd, Assault 4th x 2, Criminal Mischief 2nd and DUII. Names of operator and occupants of Mazda M3 – Mazda M3 was operated by Jagadish Chandrasekaren (31) of Washington sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Passengers: Adharsh Murali (25) of Washington sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Jignesh Modi (27) of Washington sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Puneeth Gattikoppula (24) of Washington transported by air ambulance to the hospital with serious injuries. OSP is/was being assisted by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Oakridge Fire Department, Goshen Fire Department, Dexter Fire Department, Lane County District Attorney’s Office, and ODOT.
