NEWS

Driver crashes into Keizer home, killing one person

KPD Keizer Police Department

A Keizer woman was killed Saturday morning after a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol crashed into a house. 

Keizer police arrived at the scene of the crash around 7:40 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22 and after investigating, arrested Andrew Modine, 41, of Keizer. Modine is currently facing eight charges, including manslaughter and driving under the influence of intoxicants.

Keizer police said in a press release that Modine was traveling east on Lockhaven Drive and that his vehicle left the road multiple times before it veered onto Trail Avenue Northeast and struck a power pole. The car proceeded to careen into a house located on the 5600 block of Trail Avenue.

George Heitz, 63,  and Moira Hughes, 67, were located inside the home at the time of the crash. Hughes was pronounced dead on scene, according to police. Heitz was transported to the Salem Hospital Emergency Department with serious injuries but is in stable condition.

Modine is currently being lodged at Marion County Correctional Facility and is being charged with first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangering, reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving while criminally suspended, second-degree criminal mischief and a probation violation.

Modine was previously arrested in 2015 after driving under influence of alcohol in an incident that led to the death of his brother, Thomas Modine, who was found unconscious and lying in the road near the 900 block of Ventura Avenue North in Keizer on Sept. 5, 2015. 

After a months-long investigation, Keizer and Bend police arrested Andrew Modine in Bend. He pleaded guilty to failing to perform the duties of a driver and driving under the influence of intoxicants.

News tip? Contact reporter Joey Cappelletti at [email protected] or 616-610-3093.