BLUE RIVER – In November of 2021, Shane Sprenger, 47, of Blue River, went missing under suspicious circumstances in the area of Blue River Reservoir. Deputies began investigating, and the Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue team, along with his family and friends, began searching probable areas.
In June of 2023, partial human remains were discovered in the McKenzie drainage area. They were later confirmed to belong to Sprenger. Subsequent searches of the area did not reveal additional evidence.
In September of 2023, a bone fragment was located in the McKenzie River near the area and sent to the Oregon State Police crime lab, which confirmed on Aug. 28 that the bone belonged to Sprenger.
Sheriff’s detectives continue to investigate the case. Have information? Contact LCSO at 541-682-4141 and reference case 21-6268.
One dead after domestic assault
SPRINGFIELD – On Aug. 26, at approximately 11:15 a.m., the Springfield Police Department responded to a home in the 700 block of 60th Street following a report of a domestic assault. The victim called 911 from a neighbor’s residence and reported being assaulted by her husband, hearing a gunshot as she escaped. The gunfire did not strike her. SPD received help from the Metro drone team, a collaboration of officers from the Springfield and Eugene police departments. LCSO also provided an armored vehicle. Investigators later suggested that the gunfire might have been a self-inflicted gunshot by the suspect. Drones confirmed that the suspect was deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputies seek witnesses
LOWELL – On Aug. 23 at around 5:30 p.m., deputies responded to a reckless driving incident on Highway 58, near milepost 22 between Westfir and Lowell, while assisting Oregon State Troopers with traffic control. A silver Pontiac Coupe, driven by Dunken Deshaun Joshua Thornton, 25, of Eugene, passed a brown Kia minivan in a no-passing zone, endangering an oncoming vehicle that swerved to avoid a collision. The Pontiac then sideswiped the Kia. Thornton was arrested later that evening for Failure to Perform Duties of a driver, property damage, Reckless Driving, and three counts of Reckless Endangerment Deputies are looking to identify the driver of the oncoming vehicle; contact the LCSO and reference case #25-3999.
Man crashes into police car
SPRINGFIELD – At approximately 2:20 a.m. on Aug. 29, an SPD officer attempted to stop a reckless driver near the intersection of Beltline Road and Gateway Street. The suspect fled the traffic stop, leading officers on a pursuit that extended into Eugene. The suspect made a U-turn – driving a car that had been stolen from Salem – and drove into the westbound lanes of Beltline Road, where he collided with the SPD officer’s vehicle. The suspect fled east in the wrong direction before being located on Coburg Road. A second SPD officer joined the chase and utilized a Pursuit Intervention Technique, a law enforcement tactic that stops a fleeing vehicle by making contact with it and forcing it to spin out. This stopped the vehicle on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in front of Riverbend Hospital. As officers apprehended the suspect, a fire erupted from gas containers inside the vehicle. Officers managed to detain the suspect and move them away from the flames. One SPD officer sustained burns and was treated and released. The suspect, who also suffered burns, was taken to Riverbend.
Cottage Grove man’s remains found
LONDON SPRINGS – LCSO detectives confirmed that missing person Herbert Elroy Stout, 80, of Cottage Grove, had hitchhiked away from his residence on Raisor Road. On Aug. 23, an LCSO Search & Rescue K9 discovered remains of a deceased male in a remote area of the property. Stout’s family was notified, and on Aug. 29, the remains were confirmed to be Stout. His death was determined to be from natural causes.
Springfield man crashes at Dorris Ranch
SPRINGFIELD – On Aug. 30, just after midnight, an LCSO deputy initiated a traffic stop on an Acura Integra sedan for a traffic violation on Highway 126 at Pioneer Parkway. The driver, David Stewart Hernandez-German, 21, of Springfield, failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed south on Pioneer Parkway, then onto South 2nd Street. The vehicle then crashed into the security gate at Dorris Ranch, injuring a passenger. A concealed handgun was found with the driver. Following an investigation, Hernandez-German was arrested and booked at the Lane County Jail on multiple charges, including Attempt to Elude Police Officer by Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Assault in the 4th Degree, Recklessly Endangering, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
Lowell man arrested for child sex crimes
LOWELL – On Aug. 27 at about 8:30 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of E. 1st St. The suspect, Kolby Wade Flanary, 60, was contacted, arrested, and lodged at the Lane County Jail on five counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree and five counts of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 2nd Degree.
This search warrant stemmed from an investigation by the Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, focusing on child exploitation. Currently, there is no indication of any local victims involved in this case, and the charges are for the possession of child pornography.
LCSO was assisted by the Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Justice. This arrest is part of an ongoing effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable members of our community. The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are available at this time.
