December 15, 2025 9:30 a.m. 

Two 20-year-old Yoncalla men were transported to the hospital after a wreck was found on Sunday afternoon.

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report said at 12:45 p.m. deputies responded to the prior crash in the 1000 block of Cox Creek Road in the Yoncalla area. One man was located in the cab of his vehicle with labored breathing. He explained the vehicle was coming down the hill around 12:00 a.m. when the crash occurred, and he believed he had been ejected from the vehicle. Medical personnel arrived and were able to get the man out of the vehicle and perform lifesaving measures. He was life flighted to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend in Springfield. The second man was transported by ambulance to Riverbend. Both were listed in critical condition at last check, according to a hospital spokesperson.

During the investigation, deputies said it appeared the vehicle had left a sharp corner on Cox Road and traveled down a steep embankment, struck a tree which lifted the vehicle off the ground with it coming to rest right side up, with the driver side up against trees and a fence. There was no evidence of braking, skidding or yaw marks. Alcohol was likely a contributing factor in the wreck.

A DCSO crash unit responded for reconstruction and a drone flight for some mapping.

No further details were released by DCSO.