OSP: Driver faces charges in deadly Hwy. 58 crash

A 36-year-old Arizona man seriously injured in a fatal crash on Oregon Highway 58 near Oakridge Saturday morning is expected to be charged with manslaughter, assault and DUII-controlled substances, Oregon State Police said.

Springfield-area OSP troopers responded shortly before 10:30 a.m. to the two-vehicle crash on Highway 58 near milepost 45 east of Oakridge, said OSP Sgt. Cari Boyd.

An investigation found that a gold 1999 Honda Accord was heading west, driven by Billroy Durham, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona, accompanied by his wife, Tuesday Durham, 38, Boyd said.

Durham’s car crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with a white 2014 Honda Accord driven by Charles Kuykendall, 73, accompanied by his wife, Patricia Kuykendall, 74, both of Gig Harbor, Washington.

The Durhams’ car went down an embankment after impact, coming to rest on its passenger side against trees, the sergeant said.

Patricia Kuykendall was pronounced dead at the scene by medics, while her husband was taken to Peacehealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend in Springfield with minor injuries.

Tuesday Durham was flown by Life Flight helicopter and her husband was taken by ambulance to the Springfield hospital, both with serious injuries, Boyd said.

The Kuykendalls were wearing seat belts but the Durhams were not, troopers said. Air bags deployed in both cars as a result of the crash, which closed one lane of Highway 58 for about two hours.

Boyd said Billroy Durham is expected to be charged with first-degree manslaughter, second- and third-degree assault, reckless driving and DUII controlled substances.

OSP Springfield and Oakridge troopers were assisted at the scene by ODOT, Oakridge Fire & Rescue, and the Lane County district attorney and medical examiner’s offices.