Woman Dies in Crash on Highway 38, West of Drain (PHOTOS)

Police say the car was eastbound when it drove off onto the right shoulder, traveling about 150 feet before partially striking a power pole and going into the water.

Crash scene photos: Oregon State Police

(DRAIN, Ore.) - A crash resulted in the death of a Coos Bay woman, whose submerged car was located and recovered Monday from Elk Creek, along the south side of Highway 38, west of Drain.

Senior Trooper Kevin Bennett with Oregon State Police, says the fatal crash scene was reported today at 11:38 a.m. by an area resident tending livestock, who saw the upside down car in the creek.

"OSP was notified by Douglas County Sheriff's Office of a reported car upside down in about 3 – 4 feet of water in Elk Creek off Highway 38 near milepost 42," Bennett said.

"Two members of the Douglas County dive team responded and confirmed about two hours later that there was a deceased female operator inside the car."

The deceased driver is identified as 32-year old Darcie Ayeres Kroh of Coos Bay. She was using a shoulder safety belt but was not using the lap safety restraint belt, Bennett said.

"The area resident who spotted the upside down car told investigators that he and his wife heard a loud noise about 2:30 a.m."

A preliminary investigation by OSP troopers from the Roseburg Area Command office, indicates that the 1990 Toyota four-door driven by Ms. Kroh was eastbound when it drove off onto the right shoulder, traveling about 150 feet before partially striking a power pole.

The car then traveled down the embankment and flipped onto its top in the creek where it was found.

OSP troopers were assisted at the scene by Douglas County Sheriff's Office, North Douglas Fire Department and ODOT.