Accident led to death of local WLAD employee

Dec. 24, 2021 — On Wednesday, Oregon State Police announced the completion of the investigation into the Sept. 20 four-vehicle crash on Highway 126 near Walton, which led to the death of Sprignfield resident Sarah Susman, an EMT with Western Lane Ambulance District who was 25 years old.

On Dec. 22, Oregon State Police arrested Shane Tyler McVay for manslaughter 1, DUII and recklessly endangering. McVay was lodged in the Lane County Jail.

On Sept. 20 at approximately 7:14 a.m., Oregon State Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a four-vehicle crash on Highway 126 near milepost 37. Preliminary investigation revealed a Kenworth log truck, operated by McVay, 64, of Eugene, was eastbound when the loaded trailer tipped over. The trailer struck a westbound Toyota Prius, operated by Susman and a Dodge Ram towing a boat, operated by Randall Tokich, 70, of Eugene. The Dodge Ram then struck an eastbound Ford Mustang, operated by Jordyn Tippett, 20, of Coquille.

Susman sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. McVay and Tippett were transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend with injuries. Tokich had minor injuries. 

Susman was a part-time Western Lane Ambulance District employee and was driving to work when the accident occurred. She was recently hired with WLAD after completing the EMT Intermediate program at Lane Community College. She had previously been an EMT and volunteer firefighter for three years.

During the initial incident and subsequent investigation, Oregon State Police was assisted by Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon Department of Transportation.