Douglas County Motorcyclist Dies After Car Makes Unsafe Turn At Dollar General

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — A crash turned deadly on Wednesday when an elderly driver turned into the Dollar General parking lot, crossing the path of a motorcyclist, who died at the scene.

Reuban James Wiles Dies In Crash Near Glide

The Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 138E, near milepost 17 in Douglas County, shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday. OSP officials said an eastbound Nissan Versa, driven by a 75-year-old Glide man, Ronald Lee Grubbs, attempted to turn left into the parking lot of a Dollar General store from the highway.

The Nissan crossed the path of a westbound Honda motorcycle operated by 26-year-old Reuban James Wiles, which collided with the passenger side of the Nissan. Neither Grubbs nor his passenger, Catherine Jean Grubbs, 72, were injured, but Wiles was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was affected for around four hours as investigators examined the scene. OSP was assisted by the Glide Rural Fire Protection District and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The state police said an unsafe turn is considered the primary cause of the crash.