March 9, 2026 9:40 a.m.  

Troopers with the Oregon State Police jailed a man following an alleged freeway menacing incident on Saturday night.

An OSP report said just after 9:20 p.m. a reckless driver was called in for being unable to maintain its lane while headed southbound in the Curtin/Lorane area. Shortly after, a second report on the vehicle came in saying the driver had fired a firearm at another vehicle in the Rice Hill area.

Troopers and deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to yield. This resulted in a pursuit until spike strips were successfully deployed near the Roberts Mountain Summit by a Winston Police Department officer, which resulted in the vehicle stopping.

The driver and sole occupant, 57-year-old John Deptuch was taken into custody. Deptuch reportedly admitted to firing three rounds because he believed that vehicles were following him. The driver showed indicators of marijuana impairment.

Deptuch was charged with attempting to elude police in a vehicle, reckless driving, unlawful use of a weapon, discharging a firearm on or across a highway, menacing, driving under the influence of intoxicants, eight counts of recklessly endangering another person, second-degree assault, first degree criminal mischief and unlawful possession of a firearm. Deptuch was detained without bail.