DUIIs in Lane Co.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office does not have a dedicated traffic team or deputy assigned to DUI enforcement due to lack of funding. However, our deputies are committed to the safety of our community, and that includes our roadways. Deputies will be using state grant-funded overtime during the next several weeks for DUII enforcement. Please consider others if you choose to drink or use drugs? Plan your safe ride home ahead of time? If you drink or use drugs, do not drive for any reason? If you know someone has been drinking or using drugs, don't let them drive? If you host a party with alcohol, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver? And please, always wear your seatbelt! By Sunday afternoon this weekend, deputies arrested 4 drivers for DUII. Each of these cases could have ended tragically, as our deputies often see out on our roads. Please drive safe this holiday weekend! On August 27th at about 11 p.m., deputies responded to Clear Lake Road near Greenhill Road for a report of a Ford sedan stopped in the roadway with significant damage. Fire personnel arrived first and contacted the juvenile driver, who was unconscious when they arrived. The driver was transported to an area hospital. After investigating, deputies arrested the driver for DUII. On August 30th at about 8 a.m., a deputy observed a Honda Civic driving poorly on Highway 99N near Fairfield Avenue, Eugene. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and contacted the driver, Kristian Marie Mellor, 29, of Eugene. The deputy observed signs of impairment. After additional investigation, Mellor was arrested for DUII - Drugs, as well as a Springfield Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Appear on DUII charges. At 8 p.m., deputies responded to a dispute on Inland Way, Springfield, involving a vehicle. Deputies observed signs the driver, Brianne Michelle Waleke, 30, of Eugene, was impaired. After additional investigation, Waleke was arrested for DUII and four counts of Reckless Endangering. On August 31st at about 4 a.m., a deputy conducted a traffic stop of a Ford F-150 on Beltline Highway near Northwest Expressway. The deputy observed signs the driver, Leonardo Mendez-Ortiz, 24, of Eugene, was impaired. After additional investigation, the driver was arrested for DUII.

Attempt to Elude, Lane Co.

On August 30th just after midnight, a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy initiated a traffic stop of an Acura Integra sedan for a traffic violation on Highway 126 at Pioneer Parkway, Springfield. Instead of stopping, the driver, David Stewart Hernandez-German, 21, of Springfield, fled at a high rate of speed south on Pioneer Parkway and then onto S. 2nd Street. The vehicle then crashed into the security gate at Dorris Ranch. The gate was significantly damaged along with other property. A passenger was injured in the crash, and a concealed handgun was located on the driver. After additional investigation, Hernandez-German was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges: - Attempt to Elude Police Officer by Vehicle; - Reckless Driving; - Assault in the 4th Degree; - Recklessly Endangering; - Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree; - Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

Missing Person Hitchhiked Away, Lane Co.

Lane County Sheriff's detectives were able to confirm missing person Herbert Stout had hitchhiked away from his residence on Raisor Road. However, the search continued on the large rural property in case he had returned unnoticed. On August 23rd, a Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue K9 discovered remains of a deceased male in a remote area of the property. Stout’s family was notified, and on August 29th, the remains were confirmed to be Stout. His death was determined to be from natural causes. Thanks to the many tips provided by the community during this investigation and search.

Death Investigation Continues in Lane Co.

In November of 2021, Shane Sprenger, 47, of Blue River, went missing under suspicious circumstances in the area of Blue River Reservoir. Deputies began investigating, and Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue began searching probable areas, along with friends and family. In June of 2023, partial human remains were discovered in the McKenzie drainage area. They were later confirmed to belong to Sprenger. Subsequent searches of the area did not locate additional evidence. In September of 2023, a bone fragment was located in the McKenzie River near the area and sent to the Oregon State Police crime lab. After significant delays, the family of Sprenger was assisted with fundraising by Dylan’s Legacy, a non-profit that assists families of missing people, to have the bone fragment tested for DNA at Bode Technology in Virginia. On August 28th, the lab confirmed the bone belonged to Sprenger and the family was notified. Lane County Sheriff’s detectives continue to investigate this case, which is still considered active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141 and reference case 21-6268.