GP Teen Facing Felony Assault Charge after DUII Crash into Traffic Light Pole
A Grants Pass teenager is facing a felony assault charge after crashing a vehicle into a traffic control device and injuring his passenger while under the influence of an inhalant in the Redwood area last night.
The Grants Pass Police Department reports officers and emergency personnel were dispatched to the single-vehicle wreck at the intersection of Redwood Avenue and Willow Lane on Thursday at 10:08 p.m..
Police said 18-year-old Kaiden O'Duane was driving a Mazda sedan westbound on Redwood Avenue approaching the Willow Lane intersection when he collided with a pole supporting the overhead traffic light. Found inside the vehicle was a canister of nitrous oxide, an inhalant which the driver reportedly used prior to the crash.
According to the report, O'Duane and his unidentified passenger were extricated from the wreckage and transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for evaluation. The passenger was then transferred to Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford for treatment of moderate injuries.
O'Duane displayed symptoms of impairment related to the collision and a search warrant was obtained for a legal blood draw. He was subsequently charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Felony 3rd-Degree Assault. Since he was hurt in the crash, he was cited and released to the care of hospital staff.
The heavily damaged Mazda was towed to the impound yard. City street crews were notified about minor damage to the traffic light pole.
Posted on 10/27/23 11:07AM by Sam Marsh
