Springfield Police Seek Witnesses After 14-Year-Old Thurston Student Struck by Car

A 14-year-old Thurston High School student was struck by a vehicle in the Waypoint Church parking lot across from Thurston High School, leaving the student hospitalized and prompting a juvenile arrest, Springfield police said. The collision occurred in the 300 block of 58th Street and was reported to police at about 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 4.

Springfield Deputy Chief George Crolly said the crash “resulted in significant injury,” and he told reporters investigators learned “the crash happened during a dispute between two teenagers.” Lookout Eugene-Springfield quoted Crolly as saying “the injuries are considered serious but not life-threatening,” a characterization that local outlets and SPD have used to reconcile earlier descriptions of the victim’s condition.

Springfield Police developed probable cause to arrest the driver, whom authorities identified as a 17-year-old former Thurston High School student. The driver was taken into custody and lodged at the Serbu Youth Detention Facility. Police said the youth was arrested on multiple charges related to the crash, including DUII, second-degree assault, and second-degree criminal mischief. The names of those involved are being withheld because of their ages.

Traffic in the Thurston area was not affected by the incident, KEZI reported. Aside from the hospital transport of the 14-year-old victim, police have not released the name of the hospital or additional medical details.

Investigators have asked for help piecing together what led up to the collision. Deputy Chief Crolly asked anyone involved or who may have witnessed the crash to contact Sergeant Tony Delcastillo at the Springfield Police Department at 541-726-3714. Springfield police said they are following leads and developing evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.

For residents of the Thurston neighborhood, the episode underscores immediate community concerns: a minor injured across the street from a neighborhood high school, an alleged DUII involving a juvenile, and an incident that reportedly began as a dispute between two teenagers. The involvement of youth in both the victim and the arrested driver highlights questions about how schools, parents, and local organizations can reduce conflict escalation in public spaces near campuses and places of worship.

Next steps in the case will include SPD’s continued evidence collection and any juvenile court actions that follow the booking at Serbu. Springfield police continue to seek witnesses and any video or other information from the Waypoint Church area that could clarify the sequence of events. Residents with information are urged to call Sgt. Tony Delcastillo at 541-726-3714.