OSP arrests driver on DUII, related charges after head-on crash that seriously injures couple

FLORENCE, Ore. -- Oregon State Police arrested a Springfield man on multiple charges Saturday morning following a two-vehicle head-on crash on Highway 126W east of Florence that seriously injured a Florence couple.

According to OSP Sergeant Andy Kenyon, at 2:30 a.m. OSP troopers from Florence and Springfield offices responded to a reported two-vehicle injury traffic crash on Highway 126W near milepost 6. Preliminary investigation indicates a 1994 Ford Explorer driven by RICHARD ALFRED LOPEZ, age 47, from Springfield, was eastbound when it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a 2006 Subaru Forrester occupied by three people.

The Subaru's driver, LARRY GENE LARSON, age 63, and his passenger/wife, DEBORAH A. LARSON, age 63, both from Florence were seriously injured. Their daughter, ANNA V. LARSON, age 21, from Florence, was not injured. The injured couple was extricated by Siuslaw Valley Fire Department personnel and transported by Western Lane Ambulance to Peace Harbor Hospital in Florence with serious injuries. LARRY LARSON was later transferred to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend for additional medical care.

LOPEZ received minor injuries and was subsequently arrested for DUII, Reckless Driving, Assault in the Second Degree (2 counts), and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

Safety restraint use information not available. The Subaru's airbags deployed.

Highway 126W was closed about two hours at the crash scene.

OSP troopers were also assisted by ODOT.