OSP logs three DUII arrests in 24-hour stretch across Mid-Columbia
Oregon State Police troopers made three DUII arrests April 23 in The Dalles, Hood River and Cascade Locks, including cases involving a reported overdose, high-speed driving and reported multiple collisions with the center median on I-84.
THE DALLES, Ore., April 24, 2026 — Oregon State Police troopers handled three driving under the influence incidents over the past day, according to the agency’s daily desk log, highlighting a busy stretch of impaired-driving enforcement across Wasco and Hood River counties.
April 23, 2026 — 3:50 p.m.
DUII — Controlled Substance | The Dalles
Troopers attempted to stop a gray Subaru wagon near 19th Street and Dry Hollow when the vehicle fled before being boxed in, according to the log. The driver showed multiple signs of impairment and experienced an overdose during contact. Troopers administered Narcan and the driver was transported to Adventist Health Columbia Gorge for treatment. A search warrant for a blood sample was obtained. The driver, identified as Lance Ernest Lauritsen, 41, of Parkdale, was arrested and cited for DUII involving intoxicants and a controlled substance, attempting to elude, and drug possession. The vehicle was impounded.
April 23, 2026 — 5:35 p.m.
DUII — Alcohol | Interstate 84 near Hood River
Troopers responded to reports of a vehicle repeatedly striking the median and nearly crashing into other motorists, according to the log. The vehicle was located traveling 81 mph in a 65 mph zone and failing to maintain its lane. The driver showed signs of impairment and admitted to drinking alcohol. After performing poorly on field sobriety tests, he was arrested. A breath test later showed a blood alcohol content of 0.15%. Matthew Todd Artis Bynum, 53, of Lyle, Washington, was cited for DUII, reckless driving and reckless endangering. The vehicle was towed.
April 23, 2026 — 9:10 p.m.
DUII — Alcohol | Cascade Locks
A trooper stopped a silver Ford Transit van on Wanapa Street for a lane violation, according to the log. The driver displayed signs of impairment, including watery eyes, the odor of alcohol and confusion. Field sobriety tests indicated impairment, and the driver was arrested. Breath samples later showed a BAC of 0.12%. Samuel David Amador, 32, of Spokane, Washington, was cited for DUII and released.
HR motorcycle rider killed in head-on crash; Other driver arrested on suspicion of DUI, Manslaughter
A Hood River man was killed Wednesday night on Highway 281 after an alleged DUI driver crossed into oncoming traffic, striking his motorcycle head-on. The crash closed the highway for five hours during investigation.
From Oregon State Police:
Hood River, Ore., Oct. 17, 2025 — A Hood River man was killed Wednesday night in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 281 after an alleged DUI driver attempted to pass in a no-passing zone, according to Oregon State Police.
Troopers said the crash occurred around 9:23 p.m. near milepost 7, when a southbound Subaru Impreza, driven by Pedro Jonathan Flores-Flores, 26, of Hood River, attempted to pass a southbound Toyota Corolla driven by Jesus Esquivel Martinez, 38, of Hood River. The Subaru struck a northbound Honda VT750 motorcycle, operated by Phillip Mickey Himes, 37, of Hood River, head-on.
Himes was pronounced dead at the scene. Both Flores-Flores and Esquivel Martinez were reportedly uninjured.
Flores-Flores was arrested on charges of DUII, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangering, and first-degree manslaughter.
Highway 281 was closed for roughly five hours during the investigation. The Oregon State Police were assisted at the scene by the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, Hood River Police Department, Wy’east Fire, and ODOT.
The crash remains under investigation.
About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU)
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.
Hood River Officer injured when man driving Land Rover flees after traffic stop
Instead of surrendering, the driver hit the gas pedal, slamming the driver door and hitting Sgt. Delancy. The driver then fled westbound on I-84 from Hood River, prompting a pursuit involving the Oregon State Police.
By Tom Peterson
Hood River, Ore., March 17, 2025 — A 26-year-old Washington man is accused of injuring a Hood River Police officer when he sped away from being stopped, slamming the officers elbow and fingers in the driver’s door as the officer attempted to remove him from the vehicle on Sunday evening, March 16.
Hood River Police Sgt. Emelike Delancy. He was the 2021 DUII Enforcement Officer of the year in Oregon.
Hood River Police Sgt. Emelike Delancy had pulled the vehicle over at milepost 61 on Interstate at 8:48 p.m. when the altercation occurred. The driver had warrants for his arrest and Delancy was attempting to get him out of the vehicle to take him into custody.
The driver's door was open at that point.
Instead of surrendering, the driver hit the gas pedal, slamming the driver door and hitting Delancy. The dirver then fled westbound on I-84 from Hood River, prompting a pursuit involving the Oregon State Police.
A state trooper successfully deployed spike strips at milepost 28, disabling the vehicle. The driver stopped and was taken into custody without further incident.
Garrett Michael Comer, 26, of Everett, Washington
Authorities identified the driver as Garrett Michael Comer, 26, of Everett, Washington. The passenger was identified as Crystal Monique Gomez, 29, of Spanaway, Washington.
In 2015, Comer pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery for a heist at a south Everett marijuana business, according to the Everett Herald. Net. He was a juvenile at the time but was convicted as an adult and sentenced to 3 1/2 years.
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
Hood River Police Lt. Don Cheli said Sgt. Delancy was checked out at the emergency room in Hood River and was cleared to return to duty.
Cheli thanked OSP, and the Hood River Sheriff’s Department and all other assisting agencies in the case.
The Driver, Comer, was arrested and taken to NORCOR Jail in The Dalles.
Comer remained in jail this afternoon on second-degree assault, assault of a public safety officer, attempt to elude, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and several other allegations.
His bail was set at $10,000.
“This happens once in a while,” Cheli said of injuries caused by people fleeing a traffic stop. “While it is rare, for sure.”
