Lane County, OR – A Dexter man was arrested Wednesday evening after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop near Lowell, crashing his vehicle, and being found in possession of loaded firearms, according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident occurred around 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 18, when a deputy contracted to patrol U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property observed a vehicle parked in front of a secured gate at Lookout Point Dam, east of Lowell. The deputy contacted the driver, identified as Richard Leon Gaffney, 54, of Dexter, and allegedly observed signs of impairment.
Authorities say Gaffney reversed away from the deputy and sped out of the parking lot toward Lowell on W. Boundary Road. The deputy initiated a traffic stop but discontinued the pursuit due to safety concerns, including heavy rain, darkness, and the risk of a crash as the vehicle approached populated areas. The deputy was also alone at the time, with the nearest backup officer located in Creswell.
Gaffney allegedly continued driving at a high rate of speed and crashed into a ditch just before entering Lowell, where other vehicles were on the roadway. The deputy then arrested Gaffney without further incident.
During the arrest, deputies reportedly found two loaded firearms concealed inside the vehicle. Following additional investigation, Gaffney was lodged at the Lane County Jail on multiple charges, including DUII–Drugs, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer by vehicle, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, and driving while suspended. He was also arrested on two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and outstanding failure-to-appear warrants from Lane County Circuit Court and Springfield Municipal Court.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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