La Pine man killed in crash east of Roseburg

A 74-year-old La Pine man was killed when his SUV left state Hwy. 138E east of Roseburg and struck a tree, Oregon State Police said.

According to OSP Lt. Doug Ladd, around 4 p.m., a 2003 Dodge Durango driven by Buddy Glen Mires was heading east on Hwy. 138E about 28 miles east of Roseburg when it crossed the center line and left the north side of the highway.

The Dodge struck a tree head-on, and Mires was pronounced dead at the scene. He was using safety restraints, Ladd said, and the vehicle’s airbags deployed.

A preliminary investigation indicates Mires may have had a medical problem that could have been a factor in the crash, the lieutenant said.

OSP troopers from the Roseburg Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Senior Trooper Ray Dube is the lead investigator.

The Glide Rural Fire District and ODOT assisted OSP at the scene. The westbound lane of the highway was closed for about two hours for the investigation, but traffic was able to get through the area in both directions.