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About North Douglas herald. (Drain Or) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2023)
December 2023 Page 7 S Lane & N Douglas Traffic Fatalities Lane County SO patrol On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at 2:59 p.m., in Lane County. The preliminary investigation vehicles equipped with AEDs the vehicle Oregon State Police responded to a two- indicated a gray Ford Explorer, operated by crash on Interstate 5, near milepost 189, Justin Kazutaka Fabrick (33) of Eugene, was LANE COUNTY - Beginning November 2023, patrol vehicles in the Lane County Sheriff’s Office fleet have been equipped with Automated External Defibrillators, or AEDs. Lt. Tom Speldrich of LCSO says, “For us to have another tool to hopefully save a life for somebody who might be in cardiac arrest is just a win, it’s going to save lives. These medical devices are very expensive, they’re very expensive. It’s something that a normal law enforcement budget wouldn’t be able to cover.” Arming patrol vehicles with the defibrillators was a no-brainer for the Sheriff’s Office, but it was not something they could do on their own. A group of community members, including PeaceHealth, King Estate and Sierra Pacific came together to foot the bill. “Knowing now that we have equipped the Lane County Sheriff’s Office with AEDs, and their patrol vehicles means that they’re going to be more rural coverage for people who are further away from medical services. It’s a difference of saving lives,” said PeaceHealth Riverbend RN, Megan. The biggest impact of this addition for LCSO, are the ways it will change medical responses in the rural areas across Lane County. Patrol cars in the more remote areas of the county often arrive before paramedics get to the scene. “Our city’s Creswell and Venita, our contract groups and even the dune patrol vehicle is going to have an AED,” said Speldrich. With every patrol vehicle now equipped with this life-saving tool, Speldrich and the Sheriff’s Office believe they are better set to serve Lane County than ever before. in Lane County. The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Shawn L Brown (49) of Eugene, slowed down for traffic congestion due to a motor vehicle crash farther up the interstate. A northbound Ford cargo van, operated by Edward Norman Guidry (70) of Cottage Grove, approached the slowed traffic at highway speeds and rear-ended the semi-trailer. The operator of the Ford van (Guidry) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Kenworth (Brown) suffered minor injuries. The highway was impacted for approximately 3 hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, South Lane Fire/EMS, and ODOT. On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 5: 06 p.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 58, near milepost 44, North Douglas Fire and EMS Acquires Rice Hill Property North Douglas Fire and EMS has pur- chased approximately two acres of property along with buildings located in Rice Hill, the property was a restaurant at one time. Chief Brian Burke said State Senator David Brock Smith was able to help acquire Arson Suspect Arrested in Sutherlin’s Tim’s Tree House Fire SUTHERLIN, Ore. On Sunday October 29, 2023, at 7:06am, Sutherlin Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a possible structure fire in the area of W. Central Ave and Grant Street. While SFD apparatus were enroute, Fire Dispatch advised of multiple 911 callers reporting a working structure fire. A Sutherlin Fire Department Fire Engine and Ladder Truck arrived in the area approximately 2 minutes later to find heavy fire coming from the rear warehouse at Tim’s Tree House. Immediately the fire was upgraded to a second alarm. On scene firefighters were advised of a possible victim inside the warehouse and immediately switched into rescue mode, however, fire crews were significantly slowed due to heavy fire involvement. A short time later it was discovered that the report of a victim inside was inaccurate, and firefighters switched to a defensive strategy due to structural collapse risk. A third alarm was called to bring in additional firefighters and an additional ladder truck for aerial water stream operations. Sutherlin Firefighters were on scene for approximately 12 hours as extensive overhaul operations were necessary. Sutherlin Fire Department responded with two fire engines, one ladder truck, two brush rigs and three chief/command officers for a total of 22 Sutherlin Firefighters. Fair Oaks Fire District, Douglas County Fire District 2, Oakland Fire District, Kellogg Fire District and Roseburg Fire Department provided Mutual Aid at the incident rounding the incident up to approximately 40 firefighters. Additionally, Sutherlin Public Works, Sutherlin Police Department, Avista Gas, and Pacific Power assisted on scene. No firefighters or civilians were injured during the incident. After an extensive investigation, 20- year-old Airian Jacob Navin, a Sutherlin resident, was suspected of intentionally lighting the fire. On Sunday, November 5th, 2023 Navin was arrested and charged with Arson in the First Degree and 3 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person. Navin was lodged at the Douglas County Jail. If anyone has any other information regarding this incident, please call the Sutherlin Police Department at (541) 459-2211. The structure was a floral shop, called Tim’s Tree House Floral. The owner, Tim Saunders has lived in Sutherlin for 24 years and started his business with just $1,500 to his name. He says he’s put everything into his community and floral shop, so the damage has been difficult to process. But he also says that the community support has been helpful. Saunders said, “as I’ve been here over the years, I’ve just tried to do whatever I could. I’ve always tried to just stay neutral and help whoever I can, as much as I can. I just can’t believe that all of this has turned into such great support.” The floral shop is still up and running. An account with Banner Bank in Sutherlin is accepting donations to help the floral shop. traveling westbound when an eastbound black Toyota Camry, operated by Isabel Macy Walth (20) of Castro Valley (CA), attempted to pass in the “no passing” zone and struck the Ford head- on. The Toyota was traveling in the on-coming (westbound) lane at the time of the collision. A passenger in the Toyota, Kent Derek Walth (59) of Castro Valley (CA), was declared deceased while being transported to an area hospital. The operator of the Toyota (Isabel Walth) and passenger, Rozetta Kei Fan-Walth (62) of Castro Valley (CA), were seriously injured and transported to an area hospital. The operator of the Ford (Fabrick) was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.The highway was impacted for approximately 5 hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Oakridge Fire, Eugene Fire, Springfield Fire, and ODOT. funding for the purchase. The property, where one of the district’s leased stations is located, will secure the longevity of service provided to the community. The following Press Release is from ND Fire Chief Brian Burke Jr.
