Sunday turned serious in Eddyville when two 13-year-olds riding a motorcycle crashed into an Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife patrol vehicle on the 600 block of Nashville Road. The juvenile passenger suffered significant injuries to his left leg and foot and was taken to a hospital in Corvallis for treatment. Initial reports indicate he is expected to recover. Lincoln County deputies responded to the crash and have opened an investigation into what went wrong.
According to a media release posted by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office – Oregon, an OSP Fish & Wildlife trooper radioed in the collision and specifically asked for a third-party agency to investigate. The sheriff's office said the motorcycle appeared to have been operating on private property before it pulled out onto Nashville Road and struck the passenger side of the patrol vehicle.
Crash Details
Both teens were thrown from the motorcycle when it hit the patrol car, according to investigators. The patrol vehicle then ran over the passenger's left foot and leg, causing the serious injuries that sent him to the Corvallis hospital. His parents were notified, and early coverage indicates he is expected to recover, as reported by KPTV.
Investigation
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office – Oregon is handling the third-party investigation into the collision and has been collecting evidence at the scene. The agency has not announced any criminal charges at this stage. Investigators say they plan to release more information as it becomes available.
What the Law Says
Under Oregon law, any vehicle coming off private property onto a public roadway has to yield the right of way to traffic already on the road. Failing to do that is a Class B traffic violation under ORS 811.280. That statute is often used in crashes where a vehicle or off-road machine rolls onto a road and misjudges a gap in traffic, and it could factor into how the motorcycle entered Nashville Road, according to the Oregon Revised Statutes.
Sheriff's Message
“The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office would like to remind all drivers, whether off-road or passenger vehicle operators, to be conscientious of other vehicle traffic in the area,” the sheriff’s office said, as reported by KPTV. The message also reminds drivers that they are required by law to stop before entering roadways and to drive with due regard for the safety of others.
