LINN COUNTY, OR - Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 7:32 p.m., Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a crash at the intersection of Lacomb Drive and Bond Road. An additional caller stated power lines were on top of the vehicles.
Deputies’ investigation showed Marion Johnson, 69, from Albany was driving a black Chevrolet Tahoe northbound on Bond Road when he approached the stop sign. Johnson had his wife, Valda Johnson, 67, as a passenger. When Johnson proceeded through the stop sign his vehicle was struck by a grey 2014 Dodge Ram pickup driven eastbound by Cole Russell Allen, 32, from Lebanon. Cole Russell Allen was the only occupant in the Dodge Ram pickup. When deputies and fire personnel from the Lebanon Fire Department arrived, they had power disconnected and extricated the Johnson's from the vehicle.
Marion Johnson suffered life-threatening injuries and died at the scene. Valda Johnson sustained non-life-threatening, but serious injuries and was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis by ambulance.
Deputies interviewed witnesses who reported Allen was driving at a high rate of speed moments before the crash. Deputies also found through their investigation Allen was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Allen suffered minor injuries and was taken to jail where he was charged with Manslaughter II, Assault III, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) and Reckless Driving.
The crash caused both power and internet outages in the area.
Linn County Deputies were assisted by the Lebanon Fire Department, the Linn County Road Department and Pacific Power.
Anyone with information on the crash or Allen’s driving of the Dodge Ram pickup yesterday, please contact Detective Scott Tennant at (541) 967-3950.
