MTG
Caught the Bug
Investigation: 'large, aftermarket' bumper on Jeep contributed to death...
A large, aftermarket bumper installed on a Jeep Wrangler contributed to the deaths of two West Linn High School students, Washington State Patrol officials say. On Saturday, the Jeep rear-ended a Honda carrying four students on a Columbia River Gorge highway.
Washington State Patrol spokesman Lt. Will Finn said the front bumper on the Jeep driven by 35-year-old Michael Calarco Portland, "intruded through the trunk and into the rear of the passenger compartment" killing Cooper Hill, 17, and Antonio Caballero, 16, both juniors at West Linn High School.
Hill, who lived in West Linn, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash; Caballero, who lived in Gladstone, died while being transported to PeaceHealth Medical Center in Vancouver.
Finn said Calarco was cited for second-degree negligent driving after prosecuting attorney Adam Kick came to the scene of the fatal crash and had a long discussion with investigators.
Finn said Kick decided to file the non-criminal citation against Calarco rather than vehicular homicide.
The three-vehicle crash occurred at 11:40 a.m. Saturday on State Route 14, five miles east of Carson, Wash.
Finn said a 16-year-old driver of a 2006 Honda Accord carrying Hill and Caballero was following a Chevrolet Cruze driven by an unnamed 17-year-old boy. The driver of the Cruze missed the turn for the Dog Mountain Trailhead and stopped the car in the middle of the busy two-lane highway, Finn said.
The driver of the Honda Accord attempted to brake to avoid the collision and was rear-ended by Calarco's Jeep. The force of the collision pushed the Honda into the Cruze.
Although investigators found personal amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the Chevrolet Cruze, they said a drug recognition expert found no signs of impairment on any of the drivers involved.
Finn said the driver of the Cruze along with other passengers admitted to possessing marijuana. Charges for possession and paraphernalia were referred to Skamania County juvenile court for possible prosecution.
On Sunday evening, hundreds gathered on the West Linn High School football field to mourn the loss of Hill and Caballero. West Linn School District officials plan to have a crisis team at the high school Monday morning to help students cope with their grief.
-- Stuart Tomlinson
stomlinson@oregonian.com
503-221-8313
@ORweather
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-n...p_driver_will_not_face_vehi.html#incart_river