Names, new details out in Chemult death probe

Oregon State Police Criminal Investigation Division detectives are continuing the investigation into the death of an adult male during an incident Tuesday morning in Chemult.

The names of those involved were released in Friday’s update, but a cause of death hasn’t been confirmed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office following an autopsy Thursday.

Around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Chemult EMS was dispatched to a report of a man who fell near a Chevron gas station along Highway 97 in Chemult.

Prior to EMS arrival, the man later identified as Donald Brent Smith, 52, was reportedly acting erratically. Witnesses tried calming Smith, talking to him and giving him water while awaiting emergency responders.

As the ambulance was arriving, troopers say Smith jumped in front of it before approaching a nearby apartment believed to be occupied by a pregnant female.

The woman’s father, George Gray of Chemult, and three adult male witnesses approached Smith. Believing the woman was in the apartment and out of concern for her safety, they physically restrained Smith on the ground as EMS personnel monitored the situation and requested OSP troopers respond.

Before OSP arrived, however, Smith lost consciousness and stopped breathing. EMS personnel started CPR and requested air ambulance response.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Next of kin were located out of state and notified Thursday.

OSP detectives learned Smith, whose last known Oregon address is in North Bend, was living out of his pickup while camping in the area mushroom picking.

On Thursday, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and a cause of death was not confirmed. Toxicology test results may not be available for several weeks.

Detectives are updating the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office as the investigation progresses.