Man arrested for DUII on a “Side-by-side” in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Coos County Sheriff's Office

On April 15th, 2023, at 3:40 p.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call from a concerned citizen who had been recreating on the dunes and returned to the Old Bark Staging Area. The caller reported that several people were intoxicated, and one was driving a “side-by-side”  in the parking area and on the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA). The “side-by-side” was described as an orange and black Polaris. 


Deputies M.R. Smith and B. Kent from the Dunes Division of the Sheriff’s Office responded via the (ODNRA) from Riley Ranch to attempt to locate the “side-by-side.” 


Deputies M.R. Smith and B. Kent arrived at the Old Bark Staging area and located the vehicle and person which had been reported to dispatch.  At this time, the “side-by-side” was not in operation. Deputies contacted Tristan L. Canepa (29), who was standing next to the vehicle and was visibly intoxicated. Tristan was advised not to operate any motor vehicle as he was visibly intoxicated. Deputies then left the area. 


A short time later, deputies received information that Tristan was again operating the orange and black Polaris. As a result, deputies M.R. Smith and B. Kent drove back to the Old Bark Staging area, where Deputy Smith observed Tristan driving his orange and black “side-by-side.”


As a result of the contact, Tristan L. Canepa (29) was arrested on the charge of driving under the influence of intoxicates. Tristan was transported to the Coos Bay Police Department for testing and later released on citation.



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