Driver of fatal crash near Port Orford faces manslaughter charges | Crime

A man now faces a charge of Manslaughter in the Second Degree after he crashed his truck last week, killing his female passenger, Oregon State Police said.

Loren Leach, 57, was arrested Thursday, Aug. 25, by OSP, who believe speed was a factor in the crash.

Karlan Marie Patterson, 66, of Portland, died the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 23, when the pickup she was riding in crashed off Highway 101 about one mile north of Port Orford on the southern Oregon coast.

According to OSP Sergeant Scott Punch, at approximately 11:40 a.m. Leach's Ford F-150 pickup, was headed southbound on Highway 101 near milepost 299 when it glanced off a guardrail and lost control. The pickup continued off the highway approximately 235 feet through trees before colliding with a large tree and stopping.

Patterson was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Leach received minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Southern Coos Hospital in Bandon. Following treatment he was taken into custody by OSP and lodged in the Curry County Jail. OSP troopers from the Gold Beach work site are continuing the investigation.