Signs warning vehicle traffic of high water were not in place Monday and rescuers attempts failed to revive Dean Caudle after he tried to drive across Arago Fishtrap Road. Was the newly reorganized road crew too short handed to secure the public safety?

On March 16th at about 4:12 p.m. Coos County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Arago Boat Ramp regarding a reported traffic accident and a subject in distress in the water. An investigation at that location indicated that Dean Carson Caudle, 88 of Coquille, had been driving his 1992 Ford Crown Victoria in Arago on Arago Fishtrap Road. It appeared that Mr. Caudle attempted to cross a flooded section of the road unaware that the water at that location was over four (4) feet deep and rising.
Mr. Caudle’s vehicle stalled in the high water at which time he got out of his vehicle in an attempt to make his way back to the waters edge.
Witnesses indicated that Mr. Caudle had lost his balance in the high water and was in distress. Witnesses made their way to Caudle and attempted CPR for approximately 30 minutes until Myrtle Point Ambulance Personnel arrived on scene. Ambulance personnel advised that CPR efforts had failed and Mr. Caudle had died of an apparent drowning. The investigation is continuing by the Coos County Sheriff’s Office.

Lets hope this is not a sign of the gains in efficiency we have been promised by Stufflebean.