Teen killed on Central Coast, April 7

On April 5, 2014 at approximately 4:46pm, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a traffic crash on E. Canal Creek Road near Milepost 1, approximately 7 miles east of Waldport, Oregon. Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle careening down an approximate fifty foot embankment from Canal Creek Road into the Alsea River. The vehicle was reportedly seen upside down in the river before fully submerging in the water. Witnesses attempted to provide assistance both by boat and by land but were unable to gain access to the vehicle due to being submerged. Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue responded and requested the interagency rope rescue team. First responders were unable to see into the vehicle due to murky conditions and were unable to gain access to the doors. Bill’s Towing responded to the scene and were able to remove the vehicle from the water. Fire personnel located a deceased female seatbelted in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The female was removed from the vehicle and transported to a nearby dock. The female was identified as 18 year old Tidewater Resident Makala Marie Osborn. Osborn was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Sheriff’s Office and Newport Police collision reconstructionists responded to the scene to investigate the crash. Initial investigation revealed Osborn was traveling northbound on E. Canal Creek Road in her 2002 green Ford Escort when her vehicle left the paved roadway and traveled down a steep embankment into the Alsea River. The cause of the crash is still under investigation at this time. Intoxicants are not suspected as being a contributing factor of the crash.