Just after 2:30 on the morning of January 15, Eugene Police and Fire units were dispatched to a single vehicle crash into a EWEB power pole. The vehicle stuck the pole with sufficient impact to take down several live sparking power lines. The driver, later identified as Andrew Graham (30) of Eugene, fled on foot. Eugene Police officers searched the area with a police K9, and located Mr. Graham a short distance from the crash. Despite significant damage to his vehicle, Mr. Graham appeared to have only minor injuries, and he refused treatment by paramedics. He was taken into custody for Hit and Run, Criminal Mischief, Reckless Driving, and on suspicion of DUII. Further investigation is ongoing.
EWEB Crews on scene estimate about a 4 hour closure to the roadway on 28th Avenue, and they are working diligently to restore power to affected residences.
Eugene Police K9 dogs and their officers receive multiple weeks of training to use scent and other latent clues to detect the location of suspects who are trying to avoid detection. The program has resulted in hundreds of captures, and has been an integral part of EPD’s Patrol Division over the past decades of their existence.