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Motor Vehicle Crash blocks La Pine State Recreation Road
Prepared by: Sergeant Troy Gotchy
Driver: Meeker, Michael Cody 37 years of age
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Vehicle: 2012 GMC Acadia (unknown color due to fire damage)
Charges: DUII
Reckless Driving
Criminal Mischief 1 x 2
On 11/14/18 at approximately 1703 hours, Deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the La Pine Fire Department were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash on La Pine State Recreation Road. The reporting person advised the vehicle had hit the bridge going over the river, and that the vehicle was in the river and on fire.
When Deputies arrived on scene, they found a 2012 GMC Acadia fully engulfed in flames along with the surrounding vegetation. The roadway was blocked by the damaged guardrail, and a large amount of debris. La Pine State Recreation Road was blocked in both directions. La Pine Fire units arrived on scene, and quickly extinguished the fire.
The accident occurred when the driver, Michael Meeker, was driving west bound on La Pine State Recreation road. He left the roadway on the north side of the roadway striking the guardrail and bridge over the river. The vehicle then spun 180 degrees, landing in the dry portion of the river under the bridge. There was severe damage to the guardrail and the pedestrian portion of the bridge, along with conduit and wiring belonging to Midstate Electric. The vehicle was a total loss.
A DUII investigation was conducted, and Michael Meeker was arrested for Driving Under the Influence (alcohol), Reckless Driving, and Criminal Mischief I. He was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail.
Midstate Electric and the Deschutes County Road Department responded to the scene. The bridge was found to be safe, and both traffic lanes were opened at approximately 1840 hours. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the La Pine Fire Department, the Oregon State Police, and the Deschutes County Road Department.