North Bend police arrested a Coos Bay man Thursday following a two-vehicle accident that sent an 18-year-old man to the hospital.

According to the North Bend police log, at about 5:30 p.m., a 1998 Ford Explorer Utility and a 1997 Volvo crashed at the intersection of Sherman and Virginia avenues.

Officers arrested the driver of the Ford, Kenneth A. Coster Jr., 44, on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving while suspended, reckless endangering, careless driving and a probation violation.

He was taken to Coos County jail, where he was being held without bail this morning.

Ambulance workers took a passenger in the Volvo, James Bennie, of Coos Bay, to the hospital with undisclosed injuries, police said. According to a hospital spokeswoman, Bennie was treated and released.

Early morning crash injures one, closes road

Coos County deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident near the intersection of Morgan Creek and Daniels Creek road this morning that sent a man to the hospital.

According to Sgt. Pat Downing, at about 5:30 a.m., a 1996 Dodge pickup was towing a trailer with a 1993 Jeep Wrangler on Daniels Creek Road when the brakes on the trailer failed, pushing the pickup over an embankment near the Morgan Creek intersection.

The driver, Kenneth Bechtel, 55, suffered shoulder and nose injuries, Downing said, and was taken by private vehicle to Bay Area Hospital.

A hospital spokeswoman said he was treated and released.

The trailer hit a shed, causing some superficial damage, Downing said. Morgan Creek Road was closed for about an hourwhile a tow truck crew removed the wreck.

Police say standoff suspect had criminal history

The Reedsport Police Department had some previous experience to call upon when 53-year-old construction laborer John Joy got in an 11-hour standoff with police before getting arrested on menacing-related charges.

Police Chief Shawn Essex said it was the second time Joy had been involved in a standoff.

“Back in 1991, he was convicted of arson for setting his house on fire after a standoff with Reedsport police,” Essex said.

This time, police responded to a call at 986 Scott Terrace St. around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a report that Joy went to the home and confronted his former wife.

Joy then left the house and went to his home a short distance away, refusing to come out when police went to confront him.

Officers evacuated nearby homes, putting families up in a temporary shelter at Reedsport City Hall.

Joy, who police said was despondent, remained inside his house until shortly after 5:29 a.m. Thursday.

He surrendered after police deployed tear gas. Police arrested him on charges of menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.

He was taken to Douglas County jail, where he was being held this morning on $56,250 bail.

Essex credited the help of his own personnel, Coos County sheriff’s deputies and the Oregon State Police, who sent a SWAT team to aid in the crisis.

“The great thing is, we helped people. It had a good ending and we showed what cooperation and teamwork can accomplish,” Essex said.