Two members of the downtown arts community were seriously injured Sunday evening in a head-on collision at the intersection of SW Philomath Blvd and SW 53rd Street.
The Corvallis Police Department has issued a flash alert on the accident. Officers responded to the collision around 6 pm, and investigators determined that a white Ford Bronco was attempting to turn onto SW 53rd Street when it collided head-on with an eastbound red Toyota Avalon.
(Courtesy photo: Corvallis Police Department)
The Toyota was occupied by 81-year-old Donald Russell and 62-year-old Anna Russell. Both sustained serious injuries and had to be extricated from their vehicle before being transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
The Russells are associated with Terra Viva Gallery, at 354 SW Madison Avenue in downtown. The gallery features Anna Russell’s handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, and other art, along with hand-cast cement garden art created by Donald Russell.
The gallery’s website highlights their work, while the Corvallis Arts Walk identifies Terra Viva as one of downtown’s participating arts destinations.
Police identified the Ford Bronco’s driver as 31-year-old Corvallis resident Bronc Daniel Shuey. According to investigators, a witness reported observing the Bronco speeding and being driven recklessly before the collision.
Shuey was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, reckless driving, and two counts of recklessly endangering another person.
We took a look at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Adult in Custody Release Report. It shows Shuey was booked into the Benton County Jail on November 1st and was released on November 2nd.
The county lists his release reason as “posted security/bail,” with the total bail recorded at $25,000.
(Benton County Sheriff’s Office Adult in Custody Release Report)
Both vehicles were rendered inoperable and towed from the scene. Philomath Blvd remained closed for roughly three hours while investigators worked. The Corvallis Police Department’s Major Crash Team assisted with the investigation.
Separately, this particular intersection has gained some attention in the past in regional transportation planning. A 2024 Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization study identified SW 53rd Street and Philomath Blvd as the most frequently cited location of concern among members of the public commenting on corridor safety.
The study examined potential improvements to the intersection and surrounding roadway.
These transportation concerns are separate from Sunday’s collision, and the study does not establish that roadway design contributed to the incident.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has additional information to contact the Corvallis Police Department at 541-766-6924.
This article was written by Brian Lindensmith, a contributor at The Corvallis Inquirer. Feel free to send us your stories or articles to publish at: editor@corvallisnow.com
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