Crash kills former North Bend football coach

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Story Published: Oct 5, 2008 at 7:46 AM PST

By Dan Bain

SUTHERLIN, Ore. - A former football coach at North Bend High School died Friday night and the school's athletic director was injured in a two vehicle crash on Highway 138W about ten miles west of Sutherlin.

Oregon State Police said a 1999 Cadillac Seville four-door driven by Howard Johnson, 72, from North Bend, was eastbound on Highway 138W near milepost 14 at the sharp Tyee curve,when a westbound 2005 Jeep Wrangler two-door lost control and began to slide into the eastbound lane.

Police said Johnson swerved to the right to avoid the Jeep, but his car was struck in the driver's side by the left front corner of the Jeep.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, Boyd Bjorquist, 53, of North Bend, received minor injuries and was transported to Mercy Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Police said both were using safety restraints and the car's airbags deployed.

Bjorquist is the North Bend High School Athletic Director. The two men were reportedly on their way to Sutherlin-North Bend football game.

The driver of the Jeep, Jennifer Noel Sines, 33, of Roseburg, and her two-year old son received non-life threatening injuries and were taken to Mercy Medical Center. The two-year old boy was been transferred by air ambulance to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland for further medical treatment.

Sines was using safety restraints and the child was in a child safety seat.

Police said roadway conditions at the time of the accident were wet. Oregon State Police troopers from the Roseburg Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Kellogg Rescue & Fire Department, Sutherlin Ambulance and O.D.O.T. assisted at the scene.

Highway 138W was closed about 3 1/2 hours.

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