Three Injured in Four-Vehicle Crash South of Roseburg; Driver Cited

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Three people were injured Thursday afternoon in a four-vehicle crash on Old Highway 99 South that investigators say involved a suspected impaired driver.

The crash was reported at about 4:40 p.m. in the 2600 block of Old Highway 99 South, just south of Roseburg.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Roseburg Police had been attempting to locate a sedan after receiving multiple reports of a possible impaired driver. A short time later, deputies were dispatched to the multi-vehicle collision and found the reported sedan among the four vehicles involved.

Deputies contacted the sedan’s driver, identified as 63-year-old Maureen Dinneen, and reportedly observed signs of impairment. Authorities said Dinneen performed poorly during standardized field sobriety testing and was taken into custody.

Investigators obtained a search warrant authorizing the collection of blood, breath and urine samples. A blood draw and urine collection were completed, but Dinneen was unable to provide a breath sample after being taken to CHI Mercy Medical Center for an unrelated medical issue.

She was cited and released at the hospital on allegations of reckless driving, reckless endangering, second-degree assault and felony driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Investigators said Dinneen’s sedan was traveling southbound when it crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a second vehicle head-on.

The force of the collision pushed the second vehicle into the southbound lanes, where it sideswiped a third vehicle before rolling onto its side. The second vehicle continued sliding northbound on its side until it struck a fourth vehicle traveling southbound.

The drivers of the second and third vehicles were taken to Mercy for treatment. The driver of the second vehicle sustained facial injuries when the airbags deployed and has since been released from the hospital.

The third driver, described as an elderly woman, suffered serious injuries and was later transferred to a Eugene-area medical facility for a higher level of care. The driver of the fourth vehicle was not injured.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office traffic crash reconstruction personnel responded to investigate because of the alleged criminal circumstances surrounding the collision.

All four vehicles were towed after investigators completed their work. Old Highway 99 South was closed for several hours and reopened at approximately 8:30 p.m.

The charges are allegations, and Dinneen is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.