Driver jailed after crash injures other driver


Friday, November 14, 2008 | 8 comment(s)

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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.
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Citizen wrote on Nov 19, 2008 10:43 PM:

A friend said he saw a crew cab truck being pulled out of the Coos River earlier. I haven't seen anything in the news or in this paper regarding this.

Citizen wrote on Nov 19, 2008 10:40 PM:

This area is filled with bad drivers. Every day I am on the road dealing with it. People running red lights, stop signs, not yielding, not allowing others to merge, speeding, drving in the left lane always, making right turns after passing other cars with turn signals on, head lights out, missing tail lights, back up lights out and so forth. Every day without exception I see a near miss. We are going to see this get worse. Mark my words.

Mr. E wrote on Nov 17, 2008 2:27 PM:

Fair enough. Can't argue with that.

Fedup wrote on Nov 17, 2008 11:27 AM:

I happen to know this family and yes he can come up with the money! His bail has been raised, but he should NOT be allowed out either way!!! If you repeatedly make poor choices you should be punished that goes for both above mentioned crimes!!!

Mr. E wrote on Nov 15, 2008 9:14 PM:

To FEDUP, No. If the person who was arrested for DUII was not already on probation for committing a different crime in the past, they would probably have been cited and released without bail. But because they were still on probation when they screwed up again, they don't get bail. And really, is that other guy going to be able come with over 5 grand (10%) to bail himself out?

Fedup wrote on Nov 15, 2008 8:23 AM:

So if you drink and drive they throw away the key, but if you are a FELON in possesion of a firearm holding it to someone threatining them then resist arrest ending in a stand off you get the opportunity to bail yourself out? SICK SICK SICK!!

Mr. E wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:42 AM:

If someone is arrested and charged with a probation violation, they are held without bail. One of the things the first guy was charged with was a probation violation. I am guessing that is what's holding him.

Makes no sense wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:23 AM:

In reading these articles I was a bit confused, #1 you have this person that was in the accident, he was charged with driving under the influence and other things. He was taken to Coos County Jail where he remains with NO BAIL set. #2 You have this horrible man in Reedsport that held his wife at gunpoint and all the violence from his past and he has a bail that he can post and be a free man to walk among us all! What is going on here?


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