Vehicle Fire on Hwy. 101
News release from ODOT, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 10:09 a.m.: SW Oregon: U.S. 101 is closed two miles south of Reedsport. ODOT closed the highway to assist law enforcement with an incident that involves a vehicle fire. Please use alternate routes until the highway reopens. There is no estimated time to reopen US 101. Second news release, this from the Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police (OSP) and the Douglas County Major Crimes Team are responding to a reported officer involved shooting on HWY 101 near milepost 215, about 2 miles south of Reedsport near Winchester Bay. A vehicle fire, which started prior to police arrival, involved multiple small explosions and officers have requested the OSP explosives unit respond to make the scene safe prior to further investigation. The highway is currently blocked and travelers in the area are asked to use alternate routes. Investigators anticipate an extended delay before reopening the highway. The involved officer was not injured. The suspect in the incident was transported from the scene via ambulance with reportedly critical injuries. No further information is available for release at this time. ODOT news release at 2:33 p.m.: SW Oregon: U.S. 101 reopened two miles south of Reedsport, following a law enforcement incident. Expect delays as the traffic queue clears.
Hwy. 101 So. Of Reedsport follow up
News release from the Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office at 5:26 p.m. The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is continuing the investigation into Tuesday morning’s incident on HWY 101 at milepost 215, about 2 miles south of Reedsport near Winchester Bay. On Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at approximately 9:00 A.M., a green 2003 Subaru 4-door station wagon was southbound on HWY 101 and passed a school bus without passengers. The Subaru is believed to have been the subject of multiple driving complaints to area dispatch centers around the same time. Within a mile or two of being passed the bus driver pulled over to assist the Subaru, which was stopped in the southbound lane of travel and on fire. As the bus driver approached with a fire extinguisher he saw a man armed with a handgun and fled. The bus driver backed away from the Subaru and summoned help. A short time later, an off-duty investigator (officer) from the Oregon Department of Justice stopped to assist and also contacted the subject in the Subaru. Moments later, an officer from the Reedsport Police Department and two Douglas County Sheriffs Deputies arrived and contacted the subject. At some point during the contact the Reedsport Police Officer fired at the operator of the Subaru; striking and critically injuring him. He was transported by ambulance to Lower Umpqua Hospital in Reedsport. Officers at the scene reported hearing small explosions as the vehicle burned and summoned the OSP Explosives Unit for assistance. Traffic was detoured around the scene while investigators waited. Explosive Technicians believe the small explosions were likely aerosol cans and possibly ammunition – not incendiary devices. OSP Arson detectives are assisting with the investigation into the fire. The names of the involved officer and subject are not available for release at this time. The Douglas County Major Crimes Team, comprising the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department and OSP is investigating the incident with OSP designated the lead investigative agency. This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Senate Bill 111 protocols already in place. As is typical during these kinds of investigations the involved officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending its completion. The Douglas County District Attorney’s office is overseeing the investigation and has requested all media inquires be directed to them. Also assisting at the scene was the Oregon Department of Transportation, Reedsport Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.
