January 12, 2021 3:35 a.m.
Additional details are out in what’s being called a “motorhome mayhem” incident on Friday.
Sergeant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said just before 11:00 a.m. 911 dispatchers began receiving reports of a motorhome which hit a travel trailer at Eagle Valley RV Park on Eagle Valley Road in Yoncalla. O’Dell said the driver of the motorhome began confronting other drivers and people in the area. At one point he reportedly attempted to open the door of another trailer in the park and stole a cell phone from a bystander with force. Callers then began reporting that the man stripped nude and began hitting the windshield of another vehicle.
O”Dell said a deputy arrived on the scene a few minutes later and attempted to defuse the situation, but the man was acting erratically. The deputy ultimately deployed a taser which allowed the man to be taken into custody.
O’Dell said the man was identified as 39-year old Frank James. Deputies learned that the man had been the subject of several driving complaints and was reported to have struck multiple vehicles on Interstate Five while traveling south from Cottage Grove. After exiting the freeway, James reportedly struck an Oregon Department of Transportation truck head on, and then left the scene. He then entered the RV Park and attempted to strike a pedestrian with his vehicle before crashing into the travel trailer.
An adult female was in the motorhome with James. She had asked him to let her out but he refused and continued driving.
O’Dell said deputies discovered James had caused significant damage to the travel trailer, which was occupied when it was hit. Those inside were not injured. Additional damage occurred to the park’s water line and another vehicle.
Charges included two counts of first degree attempted assault, 3 counts of first degree criminal mischief, third degree robbery, 3 counts of reckless endangering, being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, fourth degree assault, second degree theft, interfering with a peace officer, second degree disorderly conduct, and a misdemeanor count of failure to perform the duties of a driver. Additional charges were added by Oregon State Police.
James is being held on 24 charges. Bail is set at $729.500.