Albany man and his two young sons die in crash Saturday night

CORVALLIS - Police don’t know what caused an Albany father’s SUV to go off the road and plunge into a pond, killing him and his two young sons.

The accident happened late Saturday on Highway 20 in North Albany.

Christopher James Lukesic, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His sons, Garrett James, 6, and Kegan Michael, 3, were taken to Samaritan Albany General Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Lukesic had worked at the Albany hospital since May, where he registered patients.

He was professional and caring with patients, said Pat Leon, patient access manager at the hospital and Lukesic’s boss.

“He was a very strong, vibrant young man,” Leon said. “He just did a great job.”

Lukesic had family members who worked at the hospital so it seemed like home to him, Leon said.

“He seemed very connected to his children; always talking about them,” she said.

The crash occurred around 10:20 p.m. Saturday near Rainwater Lane.

According to Albany police, Lukesic was driving a 1996 Chevy Blazer, returning to Albany after visiting a friend, when he went off the road. The Blazer went down a 40- to 50-foot embankment on the north side of the road and landed on its top in a pond.

Another driver called for help, and both police and firefighters responded.

The Lebanon Police Department and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, both members of the Multi-Agency Accident Investigation Team, also responded.

The Oregon Department of Transportation assisted with traffic control. The highway was closed until just before 2 a.m.

In February, a Honda Civic went off the road at the same location and landed in the pond. That driver was found walking along the highway.

Fisher Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the Lukesics.