Springfield man dies after striking deer with bike
On Friday, Sept. 5 at 8:43 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 126E, near milepost 21, in Lane County. The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Suzuki GXR motorcycle, operated by Lucas Charles Thomas, 38, of Springfield, struck a deer around 3 a.m. The collision caused the rider to lose control, leave the roadway, and travel down an embankment.
Thomas was declared deceased at the scene.
The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by McKenzie Fire and ODOT.
Man drowns in Willamette
On Sunday, Aug. 31, Lane County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol deputies responded to a drowning incident in the Willamette River near Clearwater Landing, Springfield. At approximately 2 p.m., reports were received of a male who fell off an inner tube and failed to resurface. Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) arrived on the scene first and located the individual underwater. Despite attempts at life-saving measures, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was identified as 67-year-old Luke John Poulin of Eugene.
Although he was wearing a lifejacket, he became entangled in branches beneath the water.
