EUGENE, Ore. – A man was arrested Wednesday morning after law enforcement used a drone to help apprehend him while he was sleeping in his car outside a government building. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on January 15, when a deputy from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) noticed an illegally parked vehicle outside the Lane County Public Service Building, located at Pearl Street and Eighth Avenue.
The vehicle, later identified as belonging to 38-year-old William Ray Lighty of Junction City, contained Lighty in the driver’s seat, apparently asleep. According to the LCSO, Lighty had been reported the previous night as suicidal and possibly armed with a handgun, prompting immediate concern from authorities.
Due to the potential threat, deputies decided to use a drone to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle before making contact. While Lighty was initially uncooperative, he was eventually taken into custody without further incident.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered ammunition, although no firearm was found. Deputies also observed signs that Lighty was impaired, leading to a charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants. The LCSO confirmed that Lighty has a criminal history, including a 2006 conviction for second-degree manslaughter and DUI.
Lighty was transported to the Lane County Jail, where he is facing charges related to impaired driving. Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the earlier suicide report or whether Lighty received medical assistance following the arrest.
The use of a drone to assist in the apprehension underscores an increasing trend in law enforcement agencies utilizing technology for enhanced safety and operational effectiveness.
