Deputy Robert M. Riley was riding in an off-duty capacity with a Springfield Police Officer and merchant patrolman. While in pursuit of a speeding vehicle, that was fleeing the scene of a reported alarm activation, an intoxicated driver turned in front of the patrol car. The officer used evasive measures to avoid the drunk driver, but in doing that ran into a car in a gas station lot. It then crashed into a telephone pole that was 10 feet above the ground.

Mr. Riley, a Lane County Reserve Deputy, died as a result of the injuries suffered in the accident.