Lane County, OR –A 76-year-old man from Reedsport was killed Friday night in a single-vehicle crash on Lorane Highway, according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies and fire crews responded around 8:30 p.m. on December 29 to the scene near Sutherlin Lane, just south of Eugene. According to the sheriff’s office, a 2012 Jeep Wrangler left the roadway for an unknown reason and struck a tree.
Authorities said the driver, identified as James Lee Blondell, 76, of Reedsport, was the sole occupant of the vehicle and died at the scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and officials have not yet determined what led to the Jeep leaving the roadway. No other vehicles were involved.
Lorane Highway is a rural route connecting several communities southwest of Eugene, often used by commuters and local residents traveling toward Lorane and Crow.
The sheriff’s office has not released further details about weather or road conditions at the time of the crash.
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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