Coos County Driver Flees After Destroying Utility Pole & Road Signs

COOS COUNTY, Ore. — Coos County Sheriff’s Office, responding to a motor vehicle crash on Fairview Road near Mile Post 5 in Coquille, Oregon, shortly before midnight on Friday, found a pole had been hit, a utility line dangling between two poles, and an unoccupied red 2025 Chevy Silverado upside down.

At about 23:38, deputies and Fire Department personnel arrived on scene to find the utility line between two poles- blocking the roadway.

Tidings Insight
A downed utility line changes a crash scene fast. Pacific Power says people should assume every fallen line is energized and stay at least 35 feet away until crews secure the area.

In addition, there was a sheared-off Utility Pole, several destroyed road signs, a severely damaged guardrail, and the upside-down Chevy Silverado about 60 feet down the embankment. The Silverado was registered to 60-year-old Craig Gurney.

Deputies conducted a search for Mr. Gurney in the area and also contacted After contacting Gurney’s friends and family, deputies found him the next day at about 3:17 PM on Middle Creek.

He was arrested for Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree and taken to the Coos County Jail. He was booked but later released on the charges.

Tidings Insight
In Oregon, a driver who damages property in a crash must stop, give information, and notify the owner or police. Leaving the scene can lead to a separate criminal charge beyond the crash itself.

The Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with further information about this incident to please get in touch with them.

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