Oregon Man Arrested For Fatal Crash off 126W

The OSP trooper came upon the Toyota after it crashed head-on with a rock wall.

Photo: Wertz - Lane County SO

(EUGENE, Ore.) - A Eugene-area man was arrested Thursday by Oregon State Police on multiple charges related to a February 4th fatal traffic crash off Highway 126W on Richardson Road. The pregnant passenger died at the scene. The suspect and his 18 month-old daughter were seriously injured.

30-year old Jeremiah Nathan Wertz, from Eugene, was arrested without incident at his residence and lodged in Lane County Jail on the following charges:

• Manslaughter in the Second Degree
• Assault in the Second Degree (2 counts)
• Probation Violation

On February 4th, 2007 at approximately 8:00 PM, an OSP Trooper patrolling on Highway 126W about 23 miles east of Florence observed several vehicles driving eastbound at high speed.

The trooper turned around and while attempting to overtake the vehicles noted the lead vehicle, a red 1997 Toyota 4-Runner followed by the red Mazda Miata, accelerating faster. The trooper passed the Mazda while keeping the Toyota sport utility vehicle in sight. The Toyota 4-Runner turned left onto Richardson Road. Shortly afterwards, the trooper came upon the Toyota after it crashed head-on with a rock wall about 1/2 mile off Highway 126W. The trooper requested medical personnel response. 21-year old Amy Rae White, the passenger, from Eugene, was pronounced deceased at the scene. She was 3 1/2 months pregnant and was not using safety restraints. Wertz and his 18-month old daughter were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Wertz's driving privileges had already been suspended and he was not using safety restraints. The child was in a child safety seat.

OSP troopers did later identify and interview the driver of the Mazda Miata as part of the investigation and took no enforcement action against this person.

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