Moro man hits power pole, cited for DUII; initial tests show ‘extreme’ alcohol impairment

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 18, 2026 — A Moro man was cited for driving under the influence of intoxicants after crashing into a power pole east of Wasco with a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit, according to Oregon State Police.

Trooper Jason Mitro assisted the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, Feb. 13, at a single-vehicle crash near the intersection of Beacon Road and Emigrant Springs Lane - rural farm roads east of Wasco. Troopers said a blue 2000 Dodge Ram left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a power pole.

The driver, identified as Austin Daniel Olson, 22, of Moro, reportedly displayed several indicators of impairment and admitted to consuming alcohol prior to the crash. A passenger, identified as Hunter Jeffery Kaseberg, 25, of Wasco, sustained minor injuries.

Olson was transported by ambulance to Adventist Health Columbia Gorge for medical treatment. Troopers obtained a search warrant for a blood sample, and hospital testing showed Olson’s blood alcohol content was 0.258%, more than three times Oregon’s legal limit of 0.08%.

Olson was issued criminal citations for DUII, reckless driving and reckless endangering another person. He was released to the care of hospital staff.

Sherman County Sheriff’s Office is leading the crash investigation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.15% or higher face exponentially increased crash risk, making Olson’s measured level of 0.258% indicative of extreme impairment.

Police seek help in pedestrian fatality near Madras

Jefferson County, Ore., Jan. 12, 2026 — Oregon State Police are asking for the public’s help as they continue investigating a fatal vehicle-pedestrian crash that occurred Saturday on U.S. Highway 97 in Jefferson County.

The crash occurred between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m. near milepost 101, just south of Madras. According to Oregon State Police, a preliminary investigation found that a silver Ford Explorer, driven by James Edwin Legore, 63, of Sandy, Utah, was parked on the shoulder of the roadway and began merging back into the northbound lanes when it struck a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, identified as Jared Elijah Cooper, 38, of Madras, was declared dead at the scene. Cooper was associated with a gray or aluminum Dodge Grand Caravan that was parked at the crash location.

Legore was not injured, police said.

Investigators are seeking witnesses and any information related to the vehicles involved, including their movements prior to and at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Highway 97 was impacted for approximately five hours while the crash was investigated.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OSP’s Northern Command Dispatch Center at 800-442-0776 or by dialing *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone and reference case number SP26-010591.

The investigation was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Equinox burns, cow dies on Hwy. 197 near Dufur

The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 26. 2024 — A Chevrolet Equinox burned to its frame on Highway 197 Near Tygh Ridge Road south of Dufur at around 11:15 p.m. on Sunday night, according to Oregon State Police. 

The cow died. 

“Wasco County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a cow in the roadway near the above location,” according to the police report.

The Sheriff’s log states the complaint about the cow in the road was made at 11:04 p.m.

“A 2018 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling northbound, struck the cow, and caught fire. The Chevrolet burned down to the frame.”

“The cow was found deceased upon law enforcement's arrival. The three adult occupants received minor injuries and were transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital. 

The Chevrolet was towed due to damage by Barnett’s Towing. The driver was provided contact information for the cow owner and landowner where the cow came from. OSP was assisted by Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and Dufur Fire & EMS.

The report lists Nathan C Filbin, 45, as the property owner.  

Alleged Shoplifter takes TD police on I-84 pursuit that ends in crash

By Tom Peterson

A 32-year-old Goldendale woman was arrested in The Dalles on Tuesday, Sept. 27, after allegedly shoplifting several items at Safeway and then taking local police on an Interstate 84 chase that ended in a crash and handcuffs. 

Samantha Marie David, 32, of Goldendale was reportedly observed by a store employee at Safeway at approximately 11:35 p.m. loading several boxes of soda, three bags of dog food and meat into a grocery cart, according to The Dalles Police log. 

The suspect then left the store, walking past a Safeway employee. The Safeway employee reportedly asked if the woman was going to pay for the items.

The suspect casually loaded groceries into a silver car and sat in the car, until she saw the police lights or heard sirens, according to the report. 

The driver of the car then drove away, the log states. 

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At 11:50 p.m., Oregon State Police logged that a 1994 Silver Honda Accord entered Interstate 84 at the milepost 84 onramp and headed east. 

Trooper Zachary Yoder reported placing spike strips in the eastbound lanes at milepost 85.

The silver Honda swerved hard to the left in an attempt to avoid the spike and struck the median wall before exiting at the 85 exit. Yoder reported that the vehicle then came to a controlled stop where the driver was taken into custody without incident by The Dalles Police.

Samantha Marie David was lodged at NORCOR on charges of second-degree theft, attempt to elude a police officer, felony fugitive from another state and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.