Published:Monday, October 6, 2008 2:39 PM PDT
Serving the South Coast of Oregon

Coos Bay police, DA investigate Sunday morning rollover
Monday, October 6, 2008 2:39 PM PDT

COOS BAY — A one-car rollover crash early Sunday morning in downtown Coos Bay sent five people to the hospital.

Two remained hospitalized this morning and police have joined with the Coos County District Attorney’s Office in an investigation.

A caller reported the crash at 2:11 a.m. Several people were hurt after a 2002 Hyundai four-door sedan rolled over on the northbound side of U.S. Highway 101, just north of the Timber Inn.

The initial investigation revealed that Coos Bay resident Melissa Delano, 26, tried to navigate a curve just past the inn, and the Hyundai left the roadway on the east side. The vehicle eventually ended up on its roof, District Attorney R. Paul Frasier wrote in a press release.

Five Coos Bay residents, including Delano, David E. Delano Jr., 21; Christopher England, 21; Gregory J. Lentz, 34; and Ashley M. Reel, 26, were in the Hyundai at the time of the crash. All were taken to Bay Area Hospital. Each of the passengers were treated and released, with the exception of David Delano and Lentz, who were both listed in fair condition this morning, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The Coos County Crash Team, the Coos Bay Police Department, the North Bend Police Department, the Oregon State Police, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office helped at the scene. Members of the team remained there until early afternoon Sunday.

The matter remains under investigation. No citations have been issued, nor have any charges been filed at this time.

“We need to do more investigation before I decide what to do,” Frasier said this morning.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Coos Bay Police Department, the press release said. Coos Bay Police Department spokeswoman Helen Thompson said she could not comment on the case while it’s under investigation.


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