MCKENZIE BRIDGE, Oregon (STPNS) -- VIDA: A Eugene woman was seriously injured in a Sunday afternoon accident. Following the two-vehicle crash on the McKenzie Highway near Vida, Oregon State Police (OSP) arrested the driver of the other involved vehicle, a 19-year old Eugene resident.

According to OSP Recruit Trooper Mike Pelkey, the incident happened on January 17th at approximately 4:10 p.m. Pelkey reported a 1995 Acura Integra driven by Jacob A. Curtis, 19, of Eugene, was westbound on Highway 126 near milepost 23 when it crossed the centerline and crashed head-on with an eastbound 1996 Nissan two door.



The Nissan’s driver, Candace Lee Chitty, 63, from Eugene, was seriously injured. She was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.

Curtis was also transported by ambulance with minor injuries to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. After being treated and released, police arrested Curtis and lodged him in the Lane County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Assault in the Third Degree. He was also cited for Failure to Drive Within a Lane, Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, and Refusing a Breath Test. Information on safety restraint use information was not available.

One lane of the highway was closed for about an hour. Police were assisted by local emergency responding agencies.