Text Size: A+| A-| A   |   Text Only Site   |   Accessibility
Oregon State Police News Releases

Fatal Traffic Crash Involving Wrong Way Driver - Beltline Road in Eugene
12/09/2007
Sergeant Ted Phillips
Oregon State Police - Springfield
Office: (541) 726-2536 ext. 220

Photograph links valid for 30 days - Source: Oregon State Police
http://www.flashnews.net/images/news/120907.fatal.beltlinerd.2.JPG
http://www.flashnews.net/images/news/120907.fatal.beltlinerd.1.JPG
 
One person died and two others received non-life threatening injuries Sunday morning when a wrong way driver collided with another car on Beltline Road west of River Road in Eugene. Next of kin have been notified and safety tips regarding wrong way drivers mentioned at the end of the news release.
 
On December 9, 2007, at about 6:00 a.m., a Buick Century driven by JACK LAWRENCE, age 80, from Eugene, was eastbound in the left westbound lane on Beltline Road near milepost 7 when it collided with a westbound Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by BRANDON BOLTON, age 21, from Springfield. The front of both vehicle's collided with one another causing the Buick Century to slide into the guardrail on the north side of highway.
 
The three involved occupants were transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center where LAWRENCE died from his injuries. The Buick's female passenger, LINDA SPENCER, age 58, from Eugene, received non-life threatening injuries.
 
BOLTON also received non-life threatening injuries.
 
Oregon State Police troopers from the Springfield Area Command office are continuing the investigation. It is unclear at this time why the Buick was traveling in the wrong direction.
 
Assistance at the scene was provided by the Eugene Police Department, Eugene Fire Department, and ODOT. Westbound traffic on Beltline Road was closed for 3 1/2 hours.
 
The following information and safety tips are offered related to wrong way drivers.
 
Who is the wrong way driver?
  • Intoxicated driver
  • Older drivers who easily get confused
  • Intentional drivers (example - trying to avoid traffic jams / congestion caused by crashes)
  • Inattentive drivers who mistake an off ramp for an on ramp
 
Wrong way drivers usually drive in the inside lane or inside shoulder, believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.
 
Most common types of wrong way driver involved crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.
Tips
  • Watch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.
  • Caution against driving long periods in the inside lane on freeways, especially on curves.
 
 
Page updated: December 10, 2007

Click here to go to the Oregon Dept. of Veterans' Affairs outreach contact form

Text Only | State Directories | Agencies A to Z | Site Map | About Oregon.gov | Oregon.gov|
File Formats | Oregon Administrative Rules | Oregon Revised Statutes | Privacy Policy | Web Site Feedback|

Get Adobe Acrobat ReaderAdobe Reader is required to view PDF files. Click the "Get Adobe Reader" image to get a free download of the reader from Adobe.