Articles Posted in Car Accidents

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As part of its push to keep motorists and pedestrians safe over the holiday season, the Oregon State Police is increasing its DUI enforcement efforts. Their actions are part of a 20-day national crackdown on drunk drivers and runs from December 13 though the New Year. State and local police will also be on high alert for Oregon DUI drivers beginning 6pm on Christmas Eve through Sunday at midnight.

Oregon Governor Kulongoski, who declared December “Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness” month, has reminded drivers that driving with a buzz is driving while impaired—a leading cause of motor vehicle fatalities in the state. Last year, 18 people died in Oregon drunk driving accidents over the holiday season.

Meantime, a recent national study confirms that the number of fatalities due to drunk drivers increases around Christmas and New Year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that from 2002 – 2006, alcohol was a factor in 4 out of 10 motor vehicle deaths that occurred during the last two weeks of December. Also, drivers 21 – 24 years of age are more likely to be involved in a deadly alcohol-related motor vehicle accident than other motorists.

The Oregon Department of Transportation Safety Division’s Impaired Driving Program Manager Gretchen McKenzie has a number of suggestions for how drivers can keep themselves and others safe this holiday season:

• Don’t drive if you’ve had anything to drink.
• Make sure that there is a designated driver.
• Don’t let anyone who has been drinking get behind the wheel of the car.
• Consider taxis, public transportation, or a car service as alternative modes of transportation.
• Make sure you and your passengers are wearing seat belts.
• Call 911 if you see a drunk driver on the road.

Of course, it is important that motorists drive sober throughout the year. Last year, the NHTSA says 12,998 people died in alcohol-impaired auto crashes in the US.

Anyone who drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs is breaking the law and may be charged for Oregon DUI crimes. Victims injured by a DUI driver may also have grounds to file an Oregon personal injury claim for damages.

Governor proclaims December “Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness” month, Oregon.gov, December 1, 2008
State police beef up drunk-driver patrols, The Register-Guard, December 23, 2008
Related Web Resources:

Alcohol Impaired Driving 2007 Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA (PDF)

DUI Laws in Oregon, United States DUI Laws, DUI Driving Laws

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In Oregon City, a 26-year-old pregnant woman is dead and three others are injured following a high-speed auto collision on Saturday night. The deadly crash happened when a Toyota 4-Runner driven by Fernando Deanda Moreno, who was reportedly speeding, drove through a stop sign at the Davis and Linn Avenue intersection.

Deanda Moreno’s vehicle crashed into the Toyota Camry carrying Kay Blaser, who was two-months pregnant, and her fiancé, William Sargent. Sargent, who survived the crash with neck, collarbone, and back injuries was transported by air to Oregon Health and Science Center.

Deanda Moreno and one of the two passengers riding in his SUV were also injured in the crash. According to the Clackamas County Major Crime Teams, the 22-year-old motorist was driving drunk when the accident occurred. Following his release from the hospital, Deanda Moreno was arrested on charges of Assault and Manslaughter. Bail was set at $750,000.

Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is negligent driving that can cause serious injuries or deaths. Examples of the effects of alcohol on a driver:

• Reflexes are slowed down, which can slow a motorist’s reaction time
• Blurred or impaired vision
• Decrease in ability to concentrate
• Drowsiness
• Decrease in ability to assess distances between other vehicles and lanes
• Impaired coordination
• Decrease in ability to make decisions
Passengers injured by a drunk driver and the loved ones of victims killed in drunk driving accidents may be entitled to receive Oregon personal injury or wrongful death compensation.

Victim identified in fatal Oregon City accident, OregonLive.com, October 12, 2008
Man faces manslaughter, DUI in crash that killed pregnant woman, NWCN.com, October 13, 2008
Related Web Resources:

Driving and Alcohol, West Virginia University
2007 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities, NHTSA (PDF)

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In Oregon, a former North Bend High School football coach died on Friday from injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle crash. Howard Johnson, 72, was declared dead at the accident scene located on Highway 138W near Sutherlin.

Johnson, who is said to be the longest tenured football coach in the school’s history, and Boyd Bjorkquist, the high school’s athletic director, were headed to Sutherlin to watch the team play when the driver of a 2005 Jeep Wrangler lost control of her vehicle and crashed into the 1999 Cadillac Seville that Johnson was driving.

Bjorkquist sustained minor injuries from the crash, and he was treated at Mercy Medical Center for his injuries. The Jeep’s driver, 33-year-old Jennifer Sines, and her two-year-old son were taken to the same hospital for treatment of their non-life-threatening injuries.

Johnson was the Bulldogs’ coach from 1971 to 1992. Following his retirement from coaching, he continued to stay actively involved with North Bend High School. The Oregon State Police, who are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident, say the road conditions were wet at the time of the crash.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 455 motor vehicle accident deaths in Oregon last year—a slight decrease compared to the 478 auto accident deaths that occurred in the state in 2006.

Auto crashes are a leading cause of serious injuries and deaths in the United States. Nationally, there were 41,059 motor vehicle deaths in the US in 2007.

Former North Bend football coach dies in crash, TheWorldLink.com, October 5, 2008
Crash kills former North Bend football coach, KPIC.com, October 5, 2008
Related Web Resources:

2007 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment – Highlights, NHTSA (PDF)

Oregon Department of Transportation

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In Oregon, the woman accused of hitting 18-year-old runner Chelsee Jean Caskey with her motor vehicle during the Hood to Coast Relay on Friday has been charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants. Police arrested 20-year-old Rainier resident Chrystal Marie Meyer on Sunday and took her to Multnomah County Jail. She faces charges of reckless driving, assault, and driving under the influence of drugs.

The motor vehicle accident happened at around 9pm on Friday when Caskey, who was running on the northbound shoulder on Highway 30 close to Rocky Point Road, was struck from behind by a Kia Rio driven by Meyer. Caskey’s head struck the windshield and was on the hood of the car until it rammed through a fence.

Meyer and Caskey were both taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital. Meyer was treated for minor injuries, while Caskey was admitted to the hospital’s ICU unit in serious condition after sustaining internal injuries, broken ribs, and a broken leg.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered negligent driving. It impairs the motorist’s reflexes and senses, who may not be aware that he or she is speeding, driving in the wrong direction down a one way street, or entering a freeway through an exit. An intoxicated driver may not even realize that he or she has injured or killed another person.

In Oregon, DUII is considered a serious criminal offense. Injury victims are entitled to file an Oregon personal injury claim against the liable party.

Driver accused of hitting Hood to Coast runner arrested for DUI, NWCN.com, August 25, 2008
Driver whose car hit Hood to Coast runner accused of driving under the influence of drugs, DailyAstorian.com
Related Web Resources:
DUII Program, State of Oregon
Hood to Coast Relay–

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