A 30-year old Bend man who was involved in a head-on crash in April, 2007 that resulted in the death of a Gates man was arrested yesterday for reckless driving. Witnesses in Tuesday’s incident told police that John Eric Young crossed the centerline and was nearly collided head-on collision with a commercial truck. Investigation officers also learned that Young was involved in a crash earlier in the morning.
According to an Oregon State Police (OSP) news release, about 12:30 p.m. several motorists reported a 1988 Toyota Corolla was driving recklessly westbound on Highway 22 from the Detroit area. Witnesses said Young drove into the oncoming lane of traffic and nearly hit a commercial truck.
John Eric Young - MCSO photo
A trooper located and stopped the Toyota near Stayton at milepost 12, and Young was taken into custody and lodged in the Marion County Jail, charged with reckless driving.
During the investigation, OSP learned that Young was involved in a crash earlier Tuesday morning on Highway 20 east of Sisters, Oregon.
Troopers continue to investigate the fatal head-on crash of April 18 that took the life of 51-year old James Kline of Gates. In that crash, Young was seriously injured when his SUV “jerked” into the oncoming lane of traffic on Highway 22 in Mill City and collided with a pickup, killing the driver and injuring a passenger.
OSP have announced they plan to forward the April 18 investigation to the Marion County District Attorney's Office for consideration of possible charges.