A Lebanon man is facing manslaughter charges after a vehicle collision between Lebanon and Lacomb led to the death of an Albany man Thursday evening, June 12.
First responders received a call about a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Lacomb Drive and Bond Road at approximately 7:32 p.m. on June 12. Upon arrival, Lebanon Fire District crews found two vehicles with significant damage, one of which was on its roof with occupants trapped inside.
Downed power lines were draped across both vehicles, creating a hazardous scene and igniting a small brush fire that was initially inaccessible. Firefighters were unable to begin rescue efforts until power was confirmed to be shut off by utility personnel.
Once the area was deemed safe, crews worked to simultaneously extricate the victims and suppress the brush fire. One patient was airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Power was restored to the area around 3 a.m.
An investigation by Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputies determined that Marion Dennis Johnson, 69, of Albany, was driving a black Chevrolet Tahoe northbound on Bond Road when he approached the stop sign. Johnson’s wife, Valda Lynn Johnson, 67, was a passenger in the vehicle.
When Johnson proceeded through the stop sign, his vehicle was struck by a grey 2014 Dodge Ram pickup driven eastbound by Cole Russell Allen, 32, of Lebanon. Allen was the only occupant in the pickup.
Marion Johnson suffered life-threatening injuries and died at the scene. His wife sustained non-life-threatening, but serious, injuries and was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis by ambulance.
Witnesses reported Allen was driving at a high rate of speed moments before the crash. Deputies also found through their investigation that Allen was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He sustained minor injuries.
Charges were filed that same day by the district attorney against Allen for the death of Marion Johnson. He is charged with first-degree manslaughter, third-degree assault, DUII (liquor), reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person and second-degree criminal mischief.
Allen had previously completed a diversion program in 2018 after pleading guilty to reckless driving and DUII with a .23% BAC.
Anyone with information on the crash or Allen’s driving of the Dodge Ram pickup is encouraged to contact LCSO Detective Scott Tennant at (541) 967-3950.