A Springfield man died Saturday, April 10, in a single-car accident a little after 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. David Anthony Chavez, the driver, was 52.
Springfield Police and Eugene Springfield Fire responded to the 3600 block of Franklin Blvd. on Saturday after a report of a single-car crash – a 2004 Lexus RX 330. Chavez had been traveling west on Franklin Blvd. when the vehicle struck a utility pole on the north side of the road. The utility pole fell along with high-voltage lines.
Other motorists stopped to assist Chavez and pulled him from the car as it caught fire. The vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames and the scene was further complicated by downed power lines. Despite efforts at resuscitation, Chavez succumbed to injuries and died at the scene. Nobody else was injured.
Speed appears to have been a contributing factor for the crash, police said. Call Lt. George Crolly at 541-726-3714 with information.
SPD officers make arrest
Michael Joseph Uzelac, 37, was arrested and charged Friday, April 10, on multiple charges. Shortly after 9 p.m., two SPD officers found Uzelac in the 2300 block of Olympic Street. He was wanted for stealing motorcycle equipment from a prior case. Uzelac fled on foot and early in the chase he either threw or dropped a loaded semi-automatic weapon.
The officers observed this and continued pursuit. Uzelac has prior convictions for assaulting a Springfield police officer while in possession of a gun. Officers were faced with a potential lethal encounter. Officers caught up to Uzelac and used a Taser to take him into custody. He is at the Lane County Jail on charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Interfering with Police, Theft II, Elude (felony warrant). The gun and a portion of the stolen motorcycle equipment were recovered.
Suspect faces charges
A man was arrested and jailed on multiple charges after an incident Tuesday, April 4. Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a medical emergency about 10 p.m. on the 39000 block of Row River Road. Before medics arrived, additional calls were made to 911 reporting shots fired.
Everyone involved was cooperative with responding law enforcement officers, LCSO said. No one was shot during the incident; two of the four victims were transported by ambulance for non-life threatening injuries.
One of the victims was also experiencing an unrelated medical issue that started before the dispute. The persons were known to each other, and there is no ongoing threat.
Warren Lee Colbert, 54, was arrested on multiple charges including: Attempted assault 1 (x2), unlawful use of a weapon (x3), assault 4 APA misdemeanor (x2), Assault 4 misdemeanor, strangulation APA, and other charges.
