Category Archives: Oregon State Police
Woman Crashed into Patrol Car Making a U-Turn to Chase Speeding Vehicle
Date: May 9, 2012
Location: Highway 38, near milepost 53, east of Drain
Names: Heather McDonald, Charles Mapes
A young Drain woman was injured when a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputy made a U-turn in front of her to chase a speeding vehicle on Highwy 38. OSP is conducting a crash investigation into the incident, which occurred Wednesday morning around 8 a.m.
The report on OregonLive.com said Heather McDonald, 20, from Drain, was driving a 1999 Honda Prelude northbound on Highway 38, about four miles east of Drain. McDonald was following a patrol car being driven by DCSO Deputy Charles Mapes, 46.
When Deputy Mapes spotted a speeding southbound vehicle, he pulled onto the right shoulder, then attempted a U-turn across the two northbound lanes, but Mapes was unable to avoid the patrol vehicle. The two vehicles collided, and the Honda’s airbags deployed.
Mapes was not injured in the collision, but McDonald was transported to Cottage Grove Community Hospital for treatment of what were described as minor injuries.
We would like to wish Heather McDonald a full and speedy recovery from her injuries after this unfortunate accident.
As Portland car accident attorneys, we know that filing an insurance claim can be extremely complicated and stressful. After a crash like this, any injured person can seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, or through their own uninsured motorist coverage.
Steps to Take for Filing an Insurance Claim after an Oregon Accident:
- Get medical treatment. If you’ve been injured, waiting to seek medical treatment can greatly affect the value of your claim.
- Right after the accident, write down any details you remember.
- Contact your insurance company and get a copy of your insurance policy if you don’t have one. Talk to your adjuster about using your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical treatment, lost wages, etc.
- Determine the amount of property damage done.
- Start keeping good records. Get the police report, copies of medical bills, pictures of your car before and after repairs, etc.
- If you are considering hiring a lawyer, talk to the lawyer before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
- If you know you are not going to hire an attorney, contact the insurance company for the other driver yourself. Be honest, but do not give a recorded statement and do not admit any liability.
- Get all correspondence with both insurance companies in writing.
- Do not sign anything until you are done treating and are medically stationary.
- Check the statute of limitations on your claim. For most car accidents in Oregon, the time limit is two years, but this is not true for all cases. In some cases, you will only have 180 days – speaking to an attorney can clarify your time limits.
- Discuss your case with a car accident attorney in Portland who offers free consultations to start understanding the laws that affect your case and your rights as an accident victim.
But before you speak to the insurance adjuster or an attorney, you can learn more about the Oregon insurance claim process in the very helpful book, 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
Corvette Ran Stop Sign, Caused Collision that Injured Five
Date: May 6, 2012
Location: Highway 126E intersection with Holden Creek Lane, near Leaburg
Names: Verne Dowty, Mary Montoya, Megan Martens, Bettie Bessonette, Diana Cardwell
Five people were injured in a dramatic two-vehicle collision west of Leaburg Sunday afternoon. The accident was triggered when a Corvette failed to stop at a T-intersection.
OSP Trooper Andy Youngblood told The Register Guard that the accident occurred just before 1:45 Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 126E and Holden Creek Lane. Youngblood says Verne Dowty, 76, from Springfield, was driving a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette north on Holden Creek Road but failed to stop at the intersection with McKenzie Highway (126). Dowty’s car went directly into the path of an eastbound 2000 Nissan Quest van.
The violent impact caused both vehicles to leave the highway and travel down a steep embankment. When emergency responders arrived on the scene, they discovered that Dowty had been seriously injured in the crash. He was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend where he remains in a serious condition.
Four Redmond-area women were in the van, which rolled at least once when going down the embankment. All four women were taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center, River-Bend. They have been identified as driver Mary Montoya, 66; Megan Martens, 33; Bettie Bessonette, 84, and Diana Cardwell, 60.
Monday afternoon, information regarding the women’s injuries was released. Montoya received minor injuries and was released. Martens remains in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Bessonette is listed in a good condition. Cardwell, who was transported to the hospital by LifeFlight, is currently listed in a serious condition.
We wish all the people involved in this terrifying crash a full and speedy recovery.
As Portland car accident attorneys, we know that filing an insurance claim can be extremely complicated and stressful. After a crash like this, any injured person can seek compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, or through their own uninsured motorist coverage.
Steps to Take for Filing an Insurance Claim after an Oregon Accident:
- Get medical treatment. If you’ve been injured, waiting to seek medical treatment can greatly affect the value of your claim.
- Right after the accident, write down any details you remember.
- Contact your insurance company and get a copy of your insurance policy if you don’t have one. Talk to your adjuster about using your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for medical treatment, lost wages, etc.
- Determine the amount of property damage done.
- Start keeping good records. Get the police report, copies of medical bills, pictures of your car before and after repairs, etc.
- If you are considering hiring a lawyer, talk to the lawyer before you talk to the other driver’s insurance company.
- If you know you are not going to hire an attorney, contact the insurance company for the other driver yourself. Be honest, but do not give a recorded statement and do not admit any liability.
- Get all correspondence with both insurance companies in writing.
- Do not sign anything until you are done treating and are medically stationary.
- Check the statute of limitations on your claim. For most car accidents in Oregon, the time limit is two years, but this is not true for all cases. In some cases, you will only have 180 days – speaking to an attorney can clarify your time limits.
- Discuss your case with a car accident attorney in Portland who offers free consultations to start understanding the laws that affect your case and your rights as an accident victim.
But before you speak to the insurance adjuster or an attorney, you can learn more about the Oregon insurance claim process in the very helpful book, 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
Man Injured Springfield Police Officer in Hit and Run
Date: May 2, 2012
Location: Marcola and 42nd Streets, Springfield
Name: Thomas Odell Adams
A man with a history of violence, including manslaughter, has been arrested after a hit-and-run incident in Springfield that injured a police officer. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning.
The report on KVAL.com says that a Springfield police officer was trying to pull a truck over for running a red light at 28th and Marcola. When the driver kept going down Marcola, the officer followed until the truck finally stopped just south of 42nd Street.
As the officer was getting out of his patrol car, the driver of the truck, Thomas Adams, 37, of Springfield, suddenly reversed his truck into the police car, injuring the officer and causing significant damage to the cruiser. Adams then drove away from the scene and turned onto 42nd Street.
The officer gave chase in spite of his injuries and chased the truck until it crashed in the driveway of a metal shop on 33rd Street. Adams then fled on foot, but he was arrested a short distance away.
Springfield police say Adams already had a warrant for assault in the second degree, and he has now been charged with felony hit-and-run, eluding by vehicle and numerous other charges. He has previously been convicted of manslaughter.
We would like to send our best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery to the officer who was injured while doing his duty.
We hope the officer is able to recover from this accident, and that the hit and run driver is held accountable. Hit and run drivers are cowards and criminals, and as Portland attorneys for hit and run injury victims we hope this driver is held accountable. Remember, hit and run drivers can be punished in both criminal and civil cases.
According to Oregon law (ORS 811.705), drivers are required to remain at the scene if anyone is injured. If a driver does not do this, they can have criminal charges brought against them once they are found.
We encourage anyone who has witnessed a hit and run to come forward with information! You can call our office and we will ensure that your identity is protected, and the information is sent to the right person. If you feel more comfortable calling a hotline, Shulman DuBois LLC sponsors the Hit and Run Reward program that gives financial incentives for reluctant witnesses to come forward after hit and run incidents. Remember, you are helping the person who was hit and you helping protect our streets from drivers who do not obey the laws.
In cases like this, the hit and run driver can also have a civil lawsuit brought against them for all damages to the injury victim. Anyone injured by a hit and run driver has the right to seek legal recourse for injuries and damages to property. This compensation can come from the at-fault driver’s insurance or any personal assets they have.
In many cases, the hit and run driver left the scene because:
1) They did not have insurance.
2) They were driving intoxicated.
If the driver was driving intoxicated, you may still be able to file a claim with their insurance company, if you can identify the driver.
If you cannot find the driver, however, OR they do not have insurance, you can still file a claim through your own uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own auto policy.
We understand that this is a complicated process, and we recommend discussing your case with a Portland hit and run accident attorney who offers free consultations if you have any questions.
Crash in Roseburg Intersection Sent Woman to Hospital
Date: April 23, 2012
Location: Edenbower Blvd. overpass, I-5, Roseburg
Names: Abby Butts, Donald Pitmon
OSP Senior Trooper Robert Gorman told KVAL.com that the accident happened around 12:30 Monday afternoon on the Edenbower Boulevard overpass of I-5 at Roseburg. Gorman said a 2006 Nissan Altima being driven by Abby Butts, 33, of Winston, entered the overpass intersection at the same time as a 2003 Chevrolet pickup being driven by Donald Pitmon, 77, from Roseburg.
When emergency responders arrived on the scene, they transported Butts to Mercy Medical Center where she is being treated for injuries that are reported non-life threatening. Pitmon was uninjured in the crash.
Police are eager to speak to an adult female who was driving a red Ford Ranger pickup. The woman stopped at the scene of the crash, and police think she may have witnessed the incident, but she left before authorities could speak with her.
We would like to wish both Abby Butts and Donald Pitmon a full and speedy recovery from their injuries after what must have been a traumatic incident for both of them.
When something like this happens, it can hard to determine the reason for the accident. Without a witness or CCTV footage, it could be difficult to determine who, if anyone, was at fault.
But a personal injury lawyer can help investigate and help determine if there was a medical problem, an unseen road block, a pedestrian that ran out in front of the car, etc.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer means you will not have to deal with the investigation yourself.
Investigation includes:
- Analyzing police and fire reports, as well as insurance reports
- Understanding the injuries, including the doctor’s notes and treatment plans
- Examination of the accident scene, the surrounding circumstance, and even hiring an accident forensics specialist if needed
- A determination of causality
- Assessment of all damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering
If you’ve been in an accident, and you are unsure the cause or possible liability, call an experienced Portland personal injury lawyer for help – and they can help you understand your legal options. If there’s a question about who’s at fault for an accident, getting bills paid can be delayed and be complicated – so get help today.
Impaired Drivers Lead Police in High-Speed Chase Before Crashing
Date: February 19, 2012
Location: Intersection of Marion and Church Streets, Salem
Names: Jason Milton Dalebout, Jason Paul Schrepfer, Richard A. Bello, Joann E. Drapeu, Terrill L. Williams
A 15-minute high-speed chase ended with five people being sent to the hospital Sunday morning, when the driver fleeing police officers ran a stoplight in downtown Salem and caused a crash involving three vehicles. Two men have been arrested and face multiple charges.
Just before 8:50 a.m. Sunday, an OSP trooper spotted a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV speeding northbound on Interstate 5, near milepost 242. When the trooper attempted to stop the SUV, it raced away at speeds up to 100 mph. The two occupants were also seen throwing drug paraphernalia from the vehicle. The Tahoe left I-5 and entered Salem, pursued by the OSP, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the Salem Police Department. The SUV then went through a stop light at the intersection of Marion Street and Church Street and was hit on the passenger side by a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban being driven by Richard Bello, 42, from Salem. The impact caused the Tahoe to spin and crash into a 2008 Toyota Corolla being driven by Joann Drapeu, 69, also from Salem.
After the crash, the driver of the Tahoe SUV, who has been identified as Jason Dalebout, 37, and his passenger, Jason Schrepfer, both from Albany, were taken to Salem Hospital for treatment of injuries described in The Oregonian as minor. Both men were arrested a short time later, and Dalebout now faces nine different charges, including felony parole violation. Charges for Schrepfer are pending.
Bello and Drapeau, along with a passenger in the Corolla named as Terrill Williams, 65, from Salem, were all taken by ambulance to Salem Hospital with injuries that are serious but non-life threatening, according to an OSP statement.
We would like to send our best wishes to Richard Bello, Joann Drapeu and Terrill Williams, in the hopes that they are soon out of the hospital and feeling better.
Many questions arise out of a car crash. And unfortunately, our minds don’t often focus on recovering; they usually go directly to the financial – medical bills, insurance policies, lost wages. How will Bello, Drapeu, Williams and their families get through it? Who will pay for their medical bills and damaged vehicles? Fortunately, victims have resources. And the first thing they should do after getting the medical help they need is to go to our website – not to give us their business, but to read our free tips, download helpful documents, or request a free copy of our book. And if that’s not enough, they can always contact us to ask us any questions.
Man Crashed into Police Car on Hwy 207, Injures Four
Date: February 2, 2012
Location: Highway 207 intersection with I-84, south of Hermiston
Names: Raul Rojas-Rivas, Amalia Rivas-Flores, Seth Cooney, Michael Mayer
According to the report in The Oregonian, a 1990 Ford Taurus station wagon being driven by Raul Rojas-Rivas, 44, of Boardman, was stopped at the bottom of an eastbound offramp from Interstate 84, just before 3:30 p.m. The station wagon then pulled into the intersection with Highway 207 and into the path of a 2006 Dodge Charger OSP vehicle being driven by Sergeant Seth Cooney, 42.
Sgt. Cooney and his passenger, Trooper Michael Mayer, 30, as well as Rojas-Rivas and his passenger, Amalia Rivas-Flores, 78, also of Boardman, were all taken by ambulance to Good Shepherd Medical Center. None of the injuries sustained by any of the four people was thought to be serious.
We would like to wish all four people a full recovery from their injuries after this unfortunate accident.
Many questions arise out of a car crash. And unfortunately, our minds don’t often focus on recovering; they usually go directly to the financial – medical bills, insurance policies, lost wages. How will you and your family get through it? Fortunately, victims have resources. And the first thing you should do after getting the medical help you need is to go to our Portland personal injury attorney website – not to give us your business, but to read our free tips, download helpful documents, or request a free copy of our book. And if that’s not enough, you can always contact us to ask us any questions.
