Albany Man Dies After Drowning in Willamette River

Near Crystal Lake...

Jul 20, 2026

www.corvallisnow.com

A 51-year-old Albany man died Sunday after drowning in the Willamette River near Crystal Lake, marking another reminder of the dangers that can exist on the river.

According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, emergency responders were dispatched shortly before noon on Sunday (July 19), after reports of a person floating down in the river near river mile 133.

Authorities identified the victim as Romail Dontail Allen, 51, of Albany.

(Photo: Willamette Boat Landing at Crystal Lake Park)

Witnesses told dispatchers that Allen had entered the water and appeared to be in distress. One bystander attempted to rescue him and later reported that Allen appeared to have died. Another witness told investigators Allen was not wearing a life jacket.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol deputies were on patrol Sunday, but were operating farther downriver near the Polk County line when the call came in. Corvallis Fire Department crews reached the scene first, launching a rescue raft to access the victim.

Locals said the rescue operation took some time to coordinate. Allen was recovered from the river around 12:22 p.m., upriver from Michael’s Landing, but floated under Highway 34 and the Van Buren Bridge. Firefighters immediately began CPR while transporting him to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

We were down at Michaels Landing on Sunday, where the Graand Kinetic Challenge was setting up the water crossing portion of the race. While participants in the race had life vests, many people on paddleboards and other floats did not.

The section of the Willamette River that runs through town often appears calm, but river safety officials say “hidden currents, cold water, underwater debris, and changing conditions can quickly turn dangerous.”

Allen’s death follows several other serious incidents on this same stretch of river in recent years.

Last summer, a woman drowned in the river near Crystal Lake during a recreational outing, while another person involved in the incident survived. The tragedy sparked renewed discussion about river safety and the importance of wearing personal flotation devices.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is again urging anyone recreating on or near the water to wear a properly fitted life jacket. Free public life jacket loan stations are available at several Benton County parks along the river.

The Sheriff’s Office noted that even strong swimmers can become overwhelmed by river currents, cold water, or fatigue.

Anyone with information about Sunday’s drowning is asked to contact Deputy Savage at BentonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov.

The Corvallis Inquirer via Benton County Press Release. Feel free to send us your stories or articles to publish at: editor@corvallisnow.com