By Trend News Line 2024-06-29 15:28:32.
**Tragic Accident Claims the Life of William Justin Curtiss**
In a tragic turn of events on Saturday, June 22, a single-vehicle crash on Highway 203 near La Grande resulted in the untimely death of William Justin Curtiss, a 38-year-old resident of Union. According to the Oregon State Police (OSP), Curtiss was driving a Ford Explorer when, for reasons unknown, he veered off the lane of travel, overcorrected, and collided with a bridge abutment. The impact caused the Ford to roll several times, ejecting Curtiss from the vehicle before it came to a stop on the highway shoulder. Tragically, Curtiss was pronounced dead at the scene.
**Details of the Incident**
The preliminary investigation by OSP revealed the sequence of events leading to the fatal crash. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Curtiss succumbed to his injuries. The loss of life has left the community in mourning, as friends and family remember Curtiss for his kind heart and friendly demeanor.
**OSP Operations in Tillamook County**
Moving to Wednesday, June 26, law enforcement in Tillamook County was involved in a high-stakes confrontation that resulted in the shooting of a 37-year-old man from Damascus. The incident unfolded when officers from Tillamook Police, Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, and Oregon State Police attempted to stop a Toyota Tacoma in a Fred Meyer parking lot near Highway 101 and Makinster Road.
**Exchange of Gunfire**
The suspect, identified as Joey De La Rosa Rodriguez, had been evading law enforcement for several days prior to the encounter. Rodriguez, armed with a pistol, opened fire on multiple law enforcement vehicles during the stop. A tense exchange of gunfire ensued between Rodriguez and officers from Tillamook Police and Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office.
**Chase and Apprehension**
Following the gunfire exchange, Rodriguez fled the scene, leading officers on a pursuit south on Highway 101. The pursuit came to a dramatic conclusion when spike strips partially disabled the suspect’s vehicle after a five-mile chase. Despite sustaining non-life-threatening injuries during the gunfire exchange, Rodriguez was swiftly taken into custody and treated at a local medical facility before being transferred to the Tillamook County Jail.
**Conclusion**
The events in both La Grande and Tillamook County serve as stark reminders of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and individuals on our roadways. As investigations continue into these incidents, communities come together to support those affected by the tragedies. The impact of these events reverberates far beyond the immediate circumstances, underscoring the importance of road safety and the challenges faced by those tasked with maintaining public safety..
– Suspect shot Tillamook
– Highway fatality La Grande.