Driver trapped after wreck

Emergency workers used a Jaws of Life extraction tool to remove a 37-year-old Springfield man from his car after a suspected drunken-­driving crash that occurred on Highway 99 Tuesday night as the driver allegedly was fleeing police, officials said.

Workers at the Walmart store on West 11th Avenue called police to report that a man was stumbling before getting into his 1990 Chevrolet Suburban sport utility vehicle about 11 p.m. Tuesday night.

The store employees told police that the man nearly ran over two customers in the parking lot before driving over a roadway median.

Other drivers called to report a reckless and possibly drunken driver who was speeding, swerving into oncoming traffic and running vehicles off the road, police said.

Eugene police found Kelsey J. Barbion as he allegedly drove erratically near Roosevelt Boulevard and Maple Street. Police attempted to pull Barbion over, but he continued driving and an officer attempted to forcibly stop Barbion’s vehicle but failed, damaging the patrol car, police said.

Barbion continued onto Highway 99, where he lost control and crashed near Royal Avenue, police said.

A Lane County sheriff’s deputy tried to pry Barbion’s door open with a pry tool to get Barbion out, but was unable to do so, police said.

Because of nearby signs warning of propane in the vicinity, officers broke out Barbion’s window. However, they couldn’t get Barbion out of the car until firefighters arrived and extricated him by using the power rescue tool.

Barbion was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not expected to be life-threatening. He is facing charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, eluding police and driving while suspended.

The patrol car sustained minor damage.