Lane County, OR – Deputies in Lane County responded to a series of serious crashes Tuesday night, including a fatal two-vehicle collision near Creswell, an injury crash, and a DUI rollover — all within roughly an hour.
According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, the first call came in at approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday night on Camas Swale Road near Sher Khan Road, west of Creswell. Deputies and fire personnel found a two-vehicle crash that had completely blocked the roadway.
Investigators say a 2003 Toyota Tacoma crossed the center line while negotiating a curve and struck an oncoming 1979 Mack dump truck. The dump truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The Tacoma’s driver, identified as Randy Howard Beers, 65, of Creswell, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Lane County Sheriff’s Crash Reconstruction Team was called in, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
While deputies were still working that scene, another call came in around 8 p.m. reporting an injury crash on Cloverdale Road near Dale Kuni Road, east of Creswell. Authorities said the crash also blocked the roadway. No criminal activity was found, though one occupant was injured and transported to a local hospital.
About 10 minutes later, deputies were alerted to a single-vehicle rollover crash on High Pass Road near Washburn Lane, west of Junction City. The driver, Ronald Wayne Pingelton, 37, of Eugene, was taken to a hospital with injuries. Due to the earlier crashes, Junction City Police initially handled the scene. Deputies later contacted Pingelton at the hospital and observed signs of impairment. He was subsequently arrested for DUII.
Authorities thanked multiple agencies for assisting, including South Lane County Fire & Rescue, Junction City Police, Junction City Rural Fire Protection District, and Lane County’s Trauma Intervention Program.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have a tip? Message us!
