Lowell – On Dec. 18 at 5 p.m., an LCSO deputy contracted to patrol U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands observed a car parked in front of a gate to a secure area of Lookout Point Dam, east of Lowell. The deputy contacted the driver, Richard Leon Gaffney, 54, of Dexter, and observed that he was impaired. Gaffney reversed away from the deputy and sped out of the parking lot, driving toward Lowell on West Boundary Road.
The deputy pursued in his patrol vehicle, but discontinued to allow the car to slow before driving into Lowell and potentially causing a crash. Driving conditions were also hazardous due to extremely heavy rain and darkness. The deputy was also alone, with his nearest cover officer driving from Creswell.
The driver instead continued speeding until he crashed into the ditch, just before entering Lowell, where other vehicles were on the road. Gaffney was arrested, and during the arrest, two loaded firearms were found concealed in the car.
Gaffney was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on DUII – Drugs, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer by vehicle, reckless driving, and recklessly endangering.
He faced a misdemeanor charge for driving while suspended and had two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
There were also outstanding warrants for his failure to appear in Lane County Circuit Court for driving while suspended and in Springfield Municipal Court for DUII.
