ROSEBURG, Ore. - A 30 year-old Roseburg man died in a single-vehicle traffic crash early Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, shortly before 1:00 am, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a single vehicle traffic crash in the 1000-block of Melrose Road. The caller reported the vehicle had crashed head-on into a tree and a male occupant who was unresponsive. 

The Sheriff's Office, along with fire and EMS agencies responded to the incident and found a tan in color 1999 Chevy Suburban which had been traveling east left the roadway for unknown reasons. The 30 year-old male driver, whose name is being withheld pending next of kin notification, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner's Office continues to exhaust efforts in locating family of the driver. 

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its participation in the Click It or Ticket campaign. The patrols took place from Monday, May 2nd through Sunday, June 6th, 2021.

Utilizing grant dollars administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation, deputies spent a total of 15 hours on enhanced patrol in Douglas County enforcing seatbelt and child restraint system laws. During the course of the enforcement campaign, deputies stopped a total of 21 vehicles and took the following enforcement actions:  

• 7 warnings for speed violations
• 3 citations for Driving While Suspended
• 1 citation related to an interlock device
• 1 seatbelt warning
• 12 warnings for equipment violation
• 4 other enforcement citations
• 39 other enforcement warnings
• 1 arrest on a criminal case

"These grant dollars allow us to educate the public in hopes of reducing injury or fatal car crashes," said Sgt. Mark Norris. "Our goal isn't to write citations, but to gain compliance with the law and to ensure the safety of the motoring public in Douglas County."  

Cody James Lancaster

ROSEBURG, Ore. - A Roseburg woman was seriously injured in a vehicle crash Tuesday night. 

On June 1, 2021, shortly before 9:00 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received reports of an injury vehicle crash in the area of Cleveland Rapids Road and Garden Valley Road. Deputies arrived on scene to find a 2014 Ford F-150 pickup which had rolled several times. 

The driver, 30 year-old Cody James Lancaster of Roseburg, showed signs of impairment at the scene. Lancaster's passenger, 29 year-old Tristan Del-Marie Harding also of Roseburg, was unresponsive and pinned under the vehicle. She was transported to Mercy Medical Center and later flown to an out of area hospital for further care. 

Lancaster was also transported to Mercy Medical Center and later released. He was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges: 

• Assault III
• Recklessly Endangering
• Driving Under the Influence

Crash reconstructionists responded to the scene and the investigation is ongoing. 

Michael Eugene Garcia

***UPDATED RELEASE 06/01/2021 10:00 PM***

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Detectives have made an arrest related to the fatal traffic crash which took the life of a Roseburg woman last week. 

On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office arrested 43 year-old Michael Eugene Garcia of Roseburg on charges stemming from the two-vehicle crash that took place on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Garcia was driving a 2002 maroon Ford Taurus when he made an abrupt turn into the path of an oncoming 2017 blue Volkswagen SUV driven by 24 year-old Olyvia Renee Fox of Roseburg.

Garcia's passenger, 25 year-old Alexandria Ann Contreras-Garcia of Roseburg died in the collision. An infant was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash and was was evaluated at Mercy Medical Center and later released. Fox was evaluated for minor injuries. 

Michael Garcia was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges: 

• Manslaughter I
• Assault II
• Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants
• Reckless Endangering
• Reckless Driving

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***ORIGINAL RELEASE 05/28/2021 2:00 PM***

ROSEBURG, Ore. - A Roseburg woman died in a traffic crash on Thursday night on Del Rio Road. 

On May 27, 2021, at approximately 6:36 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a serious two vehicle crash in the area of Del Rio Road near Wilbur Road. 

Deputies arrived on scene and discovered a 2002 Maroon Ford Taurus had been traveling eastbound on Del Rio Road. When the vehicle was approaching Wilbur Road, the driver of the Taurus made an abrupt turn into the path of an oncoming 2017 Blue Volkswagen SUV. The driver of the Taurus, 43 year-old Roseburg resident Michael Eugene Garcia, and an infant in the vehicle were injured and transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center for treatment. The infant was later released and Garcia was flown to an out of area hospital. Garcia's passenger, 25 year-old Alexandria Ann Contreras-Garcia of Roseburg was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The driver of the Volkswagen, 24 year-old Olyvia Renee Fox of Roseburg was treated for minor injuries. Fox is cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.  

The crash remains under investigation, although alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor. 

Anyone with information regarding the crash or the events leading up to it are encouraged to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (541) 440-4471 referencing Case #21-2322. 

Jackson County Searchers exit a Brim Aviation helicopter after finding Harry Burleigh

IDLEYLD PARK, Ore. - After 17 nights in the wilderness, 69 year-old Harry Burleigh has been found alive and rescued by Search and Rescue crews who never gave up. 

On Sunday, May 23, 2021, Douglas County Search and Rescue conducted another mission in the area of Calf Creek after Burleigh's fishing gear was found last weekend. Additional SAR resources were called in from Jackson County, Lake County and  Siskiyou County (CA) for Sunday's efforts. 

At approximately, 3:00 p.m., a team of searchers from Jackson County SAR located a shelter southwest of the original shelter found last weekend. The search crews called out to Mr. Burleigh who responded back. He was found to be walking and complaining of minor pain, but was in stable condition. A Brim Aviation helicopter was utilized to hoist Burleigh from his location and transport him to a waiting Lifeflight helicopter. Lifeflight later transported him to an out of area hospital for evaluation. 

The Brim Aviation helicopter was utilized to extract the remaining Jackson County SAR team from their position. The other search crews were able to self-extricate.  

"This was the outcome we all have been looking for in this case. It is because of our determined Search and Rescue Teams and the partnerships we have with other SAR teams from around the state, that Mr. Burleigh has been re-united with his family this evening," Sgt. Brad O'Dell said. "The Sheriff's Office wants to thank everyone who was involved in this mission."

Over the course of the search for Mr. Burleigh, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team was assisted by the following entities: 

• Jackson County SAR
• Josephine County SAR
• Modoc County SAR (CA)
• Del Norte County SAR (CA)
• Siskiyou County SAR (CA)
• Curry County SAR
• Klamath County SAR
• Lake County SAR
• Lane County SAR
• US Coast Guard
• Oregon State SAR Coordinator
• Brim Aviation
• Lifeflight
• United States Forest Service
• Wolf Creek Job Corp. Hotshots
• Bay Cities Ambulance

Rescue crews would like to remind everyone of the 10 essentials for survival, which include: 

1. Navigation (map, compass, GPS, personal locator beacon, etc)
2. Headlamp/flashlight
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. First-aid supplies
5. Fire (the means to start and sustain a fire)
6. Knife
7. Shelter (tent, garbage sack, tarp, etc)
8. Extra clothing
9. Extra food
10. Extra water

For more information visit www.dcso.com/sar or www.hikesafe.com 

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UPDATE 05/17/2021 1:30 PM 

IDLEYLD PARK, Ore. - The search efforts for Harry Burleigh who was reported missing on Friday, May 7, 2021, are continuing today. 

69 year-old Burleigh failed to return from a fishing trip and was reported as missing by his wife. On Saturday, May 8, 2021, a deputy located Burleigh's vehicle at the Twin Lakes Trailhead. Burleigh had filled out a form and left it at the trailhead indicating he was entering the Twin Lakes area on Thursday, May 6, 2021 and intended to be out that evening. 

Searchers have been scouring the area for any signs of Burleigh and had come up empty handed until yesterday, Sunday May 16, 2021. Searchers located a makeshift shelter and a tackle box belonging to Burleigh in the Calf Creek area; however the man is still missing. 

The efforts continue today in hopes of finding additional clues. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has been utilizing search teams and resources from multiple counties as well as partner agencies. 

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ORIGINAL RELEASE

IDLEYLD PARK, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is continuing search efforts in the Twin Lakes area for a missing Roseburg man. 

69 year-old Harry Burleigh was reported missing at 10:15 pm on Friday, May 7, 2021 after he failed to return home from a camping trip in the Toketee area. Burleigh was originally due to arrive home on Thursday, May 6, 2021, but failed to do so. 

Douglas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue was dispatched to begin searching for Burleigh. On the morning of Saturday, May 8, 2021, Burleigh's vehicle was located at the lower trailhead to Forest Service trail 1500, which leads into Twin Lakes. Burleigh, a fisherman, is believed to have attempted to walk into the lakes to fish before going home. 

Search efforts continue today, Sunday, May 9, 2021, with additional search and rescue resources from other counties assisting. 

Burleigh is described as a white male adult, 6'2'' tall, weighing at 175lbs with dark brown graying hair and blue eyes. His clothing description is unknown, but he may be carrying a day pack and collapsible fishing pole.  

Anyone who believes they may have information which may assist in the search is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (541) 440-4471 referencing case number 21-2033.