31-year-old driver arrested after officers responded to single-vehicle crash at the intersection of S. Bertelsen Road and W. 7th Avenue

Eugene, OR – According to the police officials, dispatch informed the officers that the male driver of the Toyota Camry had fled southbound on foot.

Upon arrival, officers found the Toyota had crashed into a fence on the northwest corner of the intersection.

The chain link fence had been pushed inward toward a sleep shelter site with numerous Conestoga-style shelters, some located an estimated 5-10 feet from the fence.

A female passenger was discovered still inside the vehicle. Her exit was obstructed as her door was up against the fence, but she managed to get out by climbing through the driver’s seat.

The Eugene Police K9 team, consisting of Officer Thomas and K9 Ayk, tracked the driver along W. 7th Avenue. They successfully located and apprehended the driver, identified as Craig Parke, age 31.

An investigation revealed that Parke had intentionally crashed the vehicle during an argument with his girlfriend, who was the passenger. The Toyota was found to be uninsured. Parke was transported to Lane County Jail and charged with Hit and Run Property Damage, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Reckless Driving, and Menacing under the Abuse Prevention Act (APA).