On Saturday, September 22, an officer with the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety was hit in his patrol car by two separate DUII drivers. The first incident occurred at approximately 2:06am when the officer stopped a vehicle for traffic violations. The vehicle, driven by Mr. Dalton Heikka, after coming to a stop, Mr. Heikka backed into the patrol vehicle driven by the officer. Further investigation was conducted and Mr. Heikka was arrested for DUII, Reckless Endangering, and Criminal Mischief and was lodged in the Josephine County Jail on these charges.
There was minor damage to the patrol vehicle and the officer was not injured. The officer completed his shift without further incident.
On that same day (different shift for the officer), later in the evening at approximately 9:15 pm, the same officer was westbound on SE M Street in the (in the same patrol vehicle) when an oncoming vehicle swerved into his lane.
The officer was able to swerve to the right and was able to avoid what would have been a head-on collision. The suspect vehicle impacted the patrol vehicle on the driver’s side door and continued down the side of the vehicle, sheering off the patrol vehicles left rear tire and wheel.
As a result of this incident, the patrol vehicle was completely disabled and had to be towed from the scene. The vehicle is likely totaled and will have to be replaced due to the damage. Ms. Dean is believed to have been driving uninsured at the time of the crash, which may leave the burden for repair/replacement on the operating budget of the department.
The Oregon State Police were called to investigate the crash. The suspect vehicle was driven by Ms. Destiny Dean. After further investigation, Ms. Dean was lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the charges of DUII, PCS Heroin, MCS Heroin, PCS Meth, and MCS Meth. After evidence of drug use was located in the vehicle she was operating. Neither Ms. Dean nor the officer suffered serious injuries.
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