On November 27, 2020, at approximately 3:58 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers were dispatched to a multiple vehicle crash at the intersection of South 6th Street and Crater Lake Parkway in Klamath Falls. The driver that caused the crash, later identified as, Thomas Dwayne Reif (27) was driving a silver 2013 Dodge Avenger.

Reif, a detective with the Klamath Falls Police Department, was on duty at the time of the crash and was driving his assigned Detective vehicle.

Just prior to the crash, Klamath County 911 received a call describing Reif as driving recklessly down South 6th Street.

Reif was evaluated at the scene by Klamath County Fire District 1 personnel and found to be unresponsive and not breathing. He was transported to Sky Lake Medical Center where emergency department personnel were able to quickly stabilize him.

The Klamath Falls Police Department immediately requested the Oregon State Police take lead on the investigation. Troopers began a DUII investigation and collected evidence the night of the crash. Evidence was sent to the Oregon State Police Crime Lab as part of the investigation. Members of the Oregon State Police Criminal Investigation Division were brought in to work with the Patrol Division on the investigation.

While evaluating the evidence seized in the investigation, Troopers developed probable cause that Reif had unlawfully obtained and used drug evidence from an unrelated case in the course of his duties.

Once lab results were obtained on the evidence, Troopers sought to arrest Reif for DUII, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Official Misconduct 1st degree, Tampering with Evidence, and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Schedule II controlled substance – fentanyl)

Thomas Dwayne Reif was booked into the Klamath County Jail on December 15, 2020.

The Klamath Falls Police Department has released a statement on the situation.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-12-15 19:53:32

Last Update: 2020-12-15 20:12:02