Person Dies During Chase in Head On Crash With Roseburg Police Car

Driver Dies After Crashing into Roseburg Police Car While Attempting to Elude Officers.

Photos: Oregon State Police

(ROSEBURG, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a fatal crash Sunday night that happened when the driver of a vehicle attempting to elude a Roseburg police officer lost control and crashed head-on with a second Roseburg police officer.

The eluding driver was pronounced deceased at an area hospital and his passenger was critically injured. Roseburg Officer Scott Campbell received minor injuries and was released from the hospital Monday evening.

OSP Lieutenant Gregg Hastings, says February 14, 2010 at approximately 10:46 p.m. a Roseburg police officer attempted to stop a 1997 Honda Civic two-door for a traffic violation on Northeast Stephens Street near Garden Valley Boulevard.

"The Honda accelerated northbound, attempting to elude the officer for about one mile when its driver lost control at a high rate of speed and crashed head-on into a second Roseburg police officer's patrol car that was southbound with emergency lights activated on Northeast Stephens Street near Newton Creek Road."

He says a subsequent investigation determined that the Honda had been reported stolen to Lane County Sheriff's Office.

The Honda's driver, 31-year old Nathan W. Lubken of Roseburg, was transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg where he was pronounced deceased.

Hastings says Mr. Lubken's driving privileges were previously suspended. He was using safety restraints. "A passenger in the Honda, 27-year Holly Cherie Sullivan of Eugene, was critically injured. Sullivan was initially transported to Mercy Medical Center and later transferred to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. As of Monday evening she was still in intensive care. Safety restraint use is pending confirmation through the investigation."

Officer Campbell who is 30, was transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center. He was using safety restraints. Campbell has been with Roseburg Police Department for 3 years.

OSP troopers and an OSP collision reconstructionist are continuing the investigation.