Police investigating homicides in Lorane, Lowell
Lane County Sheriff’s deputies found a dead body in a forest 10 miles east of Lowell on July 31, with evidence indicating homicide. Authorities detained Aaron Douglas Omer, 53, of Eugene, who has been charged with second-degree murder and is held at Lane County Jail. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
Deputies responded to a shooting in the 28600 block of W. Hill Road at about 6 p.m. on July 16, where they found Patricia Marie McSperitt, 56, of Lorane, dead. Law enforcement began searching for the suspect, Ralph William McSperitt, 56, also of Lorane. He was arrested without incident on July 17 in front of the Lane County Jail. McSperitt faces a charge of murder in the second degree.
Shots fired leads to arrest
SPRINGFIELD – LCSO deputies responded to an armed burglary in the 88700 block of Easy Lane, northeast of Springfield on July 28. A resident confronted David Anthony Raymond, 34, of Eugene, who was trespassing with a firearm. Police said that after a shot was fired into the ground by the resident, Raymond also fired a shot. Deputies used a thermal drone to locate Raymond, who fired at them from a distance with a handgun and rifle. Raymond was arrested and booked into the Lane County Jail on charges including Attempted Assault in the 1st Degree, Menacing, Recklessly Endangering, Burglary, and Theft.
Veneta woman dies in jail
A woman in custody at the Lane County Jail was found unresponsive on July 27 during routine checks around 8:30 a.m. Karah Lynn Bowman, 37, of Veneta, was pronounced dead. The Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the cause of death.
Three vehicle fatal crash on I-5
Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle fatal crash on I-5 near milepost 186 on July 29 at 8 a.m.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a white Dodge Caravan, driven by Kennith James Nelsen, 56, of Coos Bay, was traveling southbound on I-5 when it attempted to turn into the emergency vehicle turnaround from the slow lane. The Caravan struck the side of a Dodge Charger, driven by Timothy Brian Smith, 59, of Springfield. In an attempt to avoid the collision, the Charger swerved toward the median.
The impact sent the Charger into the northbound lanes, where it was struck by a Kenworth dump truck, driven by Jaison William Karow, 44, of Coos Bay, which was towing a loaded trailer.
Kenneth Nicholas Thomas, 61, a passenger in the Dodge Charger, was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Nelsen and Karow suffered no injuries.
A collision involving three vehicles occurred on the southbound side of I-5 after the initial crash; no injuries were reported.
