KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — One man is in custody and another dead following a rollover crash that investigators believe was caused by the driver's alcohol consumption, according to the Klamath County Sheriff's Office (KCSO).
Not long before 1:30 a.m. in the morning on Friday, deputies responded to a report of the crash on Lakeshore Drive. When they arrived at the scene, the deputies found that a vehicle "had rolled over and sustained extensive damage," KCSO said.
58-year-old Dale Faust of Klamath Falls, the passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, 49-year-old Mike Fowler, was injured but survived the crash.
Investigators came to believe that Fowler had been driving west on Lakeshore, "traveling at high speeds," when he suddenly lost control and veered from the roadway — hitting multiple trees. Oregon State Police aided with reconstruction of the crash scene.
"Alcohol is considered the primary factor in the crash," KCSO said.
Firefighters from Klamath County Fire District 1 were able to extract Fowler from the wreckage of his vehicle, and he was brought to Sky Lakes Medical Center with minor injuries.
Following treatment, Fowler was lodged in the Klamath County Jail on multiple charges, including Manslaughter II, Criminally Negligent Homicide, Felony Driving While Suspended, Assault III, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and Reckless Driving.
"Additional details are pending further investigation," KCSO said.
