Eugene Man Sentenced to 19 Months for Leaving Scene of Fatal Bicycle Crash
EUGENE, Ore. — Kacy Daniel Foster was handed a 19-month prison sentence for leaving the scene of a January fatal bicycle crash in Eugene after “freaking out.” Foster turned himself in to the Eugene police two days later.
Court documents indicate that, days before the crash, the victim, 63-year-old Merle Sheffield, told a friend he wanted to die. Sheffield had multiple pending criminal cases against him and was reportedly suicidal when he rode his bicycle into oncoming traffic on Highway 99.
Foster had just left work before the crash, and security footage showed him working (not drinking, despite a history of driving under the influence). He pleaded guilty to failure to perform the duties of a driver in the Lane County Circuit Court on April 14.
In the sentencing memorandum filed by his attorney, Foster claimed he was not at fault for the crash but made a “dumb decision” to leave the scene. Foster will lose his license for five years and have a felony on his record.
His lawyer asked for probation and an order that Foster enter therapy to help address his decision-making.