February 10, 2013
Lieutenant Gregg Hastings
Public Information Officer
According to Sergeant Josh Young, on February 10, 2013 at approximately 8:30 a.m., a 2008 Dodge Ram 4x4 pickup driven by JON LORICK COPSEY, age 60, from North Bend, was southbound on Highway 101 near milepost 222 when, for an unknown reason, the pickup traveled off the southbound shoulder into brush and collided head-on with a large tree.
JON COPSEY was pronounced deceased at the scene. His 60-year old wife/passenger, BEATRICE E. COPSY, was transported by Lower Umpqua Ambulance to Bay Area Hospital where she was treated and released for minor injuries. Both were using safety restraints and the pickup's airbags deployed.
OSP troopers from the Coos Bay Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Senior Trooper Freddie Dunlap is the lead investigator. Any witnesses to the crash are asked to call Senior Trooper Dunlap at (541) 888-2677 ext 520.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Lakeside Fire Department, ODOT, and Coos County Medical Examiner. The highway was closed and detour in place.