7/16/26 – LCSO Deputies and Fire Personnel Respond to Drowning on the Willamette River On July 14th at around 4:40pm, LCSO Marine Patrol deputies were notified of a water rescue in the Willamette River. A group of people floating the river hit a snag in the water. Most of the group made it to the riverbank, but one person was missing.
Eugene Springfield Fire and Rescue located the missing male face down in the water and quickly transported him to a local area hospital for treatment. Tragically, the man did not survive. The deceased has been identified as 26-year-old Ervan Dominick Lucia of Harrisburg. The investigation revealed Lucia was operating a paddleboard without a lifejacket, and he was tethered to his paddleboard.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to wear a properly fitting lifejacket anytime you are using Lane County waterways. Tethering yourself to equipment is always dangerous. If you are using a tether, it should be able to break away quickly.