Falling asleep leads to arrest, criminal charges

A Newport man faces several criminal charges after falling asleep at the wheel.

At approximately 6:50 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, multiple Lincoln City Police Department (LPD) officers responded to the report of a single vehicle crashing into a building located at 3026 NE Highway 101. Police later learned another vehicle had also been struck.

Officers arrived and assisted North Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department with securing the scene and initial medical evaluation of involved drivers.

“Officers investigated and learned that Marvin Noe Tojin Lopez, a 24-year-old male from Newport Oregon, had fallen asleep at the wheel, while driving home from working on a residential remodeling job all night," Sgt Erik Anderson said. “Tojin Lopez had been driving his Honda Accord southbound and initially struck a northbound Honda Pilot with such force, the Accord’s front driver’s side wheel was entirely removed from the vehicle. Following the initial impact, the Accord skidded into the building.”

Tojin Lopez was transported to the hospital for further medical care. The driver of the Pilot reported no injuries on scene.

“Subsequently Tojin Lopez was issued citations for Driving without a License, Driving without Insurance, Careless Driving, and Failing to Wear a Seatbelt,” Anderson said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Drowsy Driving led to 684 deaths in 2021 and in 2017 accounted for 91,000 of the nation’s vehicle crashes.

"If you feel fatigued, your driving skills are probable impaired as well," Anderson said. "Please pull over, take a short 20-minute nap, and re-evaluate."