Man accused of DUII after head-on crash on U.S. 26 near Banks, police say 

Man accused of DUII after head-on crash on U.S. 26 near Banks, police say

Aug 20, 2012 (Menafn - The Oregonian - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --A Portland man has been accused of impaired driving following a head-one crash on U.S. 26 near Banks early Monday morning, according to Oregon State Police.

Shortly after 5 a.m., Jason R. Costa, 36, of Bend, was driving a 1998 Volvo station wagon east on the highway when he collided head-on with a 2001 Subaru Forester, said Lt. Gregg Hastings, a state police spokesman. Costa, who was treated at the scene for minor injuries, reportedly told police he had moved toward the westbound lane to avoid the vehicle.

Hastings said the driver of the Forester, whom police identified as Kevin R. Neal, 53, of Southwest Portland, was taken to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. Neal was cited to appear in Washington County Circuit Court on accusations of driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving while suspended and recklessly endangering another person, Hastings said.

Costa, Hastings said, was also accused of driving while suspended.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office, Banks Fire District 13 and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted state police at the scene. The crash closed the highway for about 90 minutes.

Troopers are continuing to investigate.

-- Rebecca Woolington

Follow @rwoolington

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