From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: Jul 08, 2011

Summary:

On July 4, 2011 at approximately 1:32pm, Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a report of a traffic crash on the Siletz River Gorge Road near Milepost One, northeast of Moonshine Park in Logsden, Oregon. Upon arrival, a sheriff's deputy saw numerous people on scene, including ambulance and emergency personnel who were providing assistance to injured passengers in the roadway. The deputy also observed a yellow 2000 Jeep Wrangler with extensive damage lying on its top in the roadway, opposite the injured persons being attended to.

During the investigation it was learned there were five occupants in the jeep at the time of the crash; two 18 year old adult males, one 17 year old juvenile male, and two 16 year old female juveniles. Investigation revealed one of the 16 year old females, Payge M. Phinney of Toledo, was operating the Jeep at the time of the crash.

Deputies learned the three male passengers were riding in the back of the open topped Jeep when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The males were thrown from the Jeep onto the roadway. None of the male occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Four of the occupants were transported to Samaratan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport where they were treated for their injuries. Three of the teenagers were treated and released. The 17 year old male juvenile was later Life Flighted to Emanuel Hospital in Portland with critical injuries. At the time of this release the juvenile was still in the hospital, but his condition has been upgraded to stable.

Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash. The case is still under investigation by the Sheriff's Office at this time.

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