Law enforcement officials are searching for a man allegedly involved in an assault Tuesday evening in Hermiston.
The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Hermiston Police Department, Oregon State Police, the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office, and the Spokane Police Department is investigating an assault case that reportedly occurred between 8-10 p.m., on Jan. 20, at 81252 Highway 395, a business property just north of Hermiston.
Witnesses report that David Wayne Newton, 53, from Hermiston, and Lloyd Allan Terpening, age 54, from Irrigon, were involved in an altercation at the property. Newton sustained a head injury, and he was taken to Good Shepherd Hospital (GSH) in a private vehicle. The incident was not reported to the police. On the morning of Jan. 21, the property owner arrived at the location, found blood inside the building, and contacted authorities. The property owner told police that Newton and Terpening were living on the property while cleaning and clearing debris from the property. Police contacted GSH and learned that Newton was treated the night before and then sent to Kadlec Medical Center, and finally to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane for treatment of a serious head injury. Officers searched the property into late last night and are continuing to investigate.
Law enforcement is seeking the public’s help in locating Lloyd Allan Terpening, as a person of interest in this case. He is described as a white male adult, 54 years old, 5’ 6”, 155 pounds, with long brown/gray hair and brown eyes. Terpening wears a moustache and beard at times.
Anyone with information about Terpening is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 541.966.3601.
