Fatal Drunk Driving Accidents Continue to Plague Portland Area

By now, there are few excuses for anyone to not be aware of the potential dangers associated with drunk driving. Unfortunately, despite public service campaigns and efforts by law enforcement to apprehend offenders before car accidents and injuries occur, the fact is that DUI-related accidents continue to be a common problem throughout the Portland area. The month of June took a heavy toll in terms of drunk driving crashes, while year-to-date figures show fatal injuries are among the highest in over a decade.  

Recent DUI-Related Accidents and Arrests In Portland

Incident reports from the Portland Department of Transportation (PDOT) show at least four motor vehicle crashes involving the use of alcohol over a span of just a few weeks in and around our area, leaving several people injured and causing at least one fatality. Among recent incidents include:

• An accident on June 21, 2018, on Southwest Macadam Avenue, in which a 43-year-old drunk driver crashed into a traffic arrow board, which was trailer mounted in a construction zone. The force of impact sent the trailer over an embankment and caused it to slam into at least one other vehicle parked below. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
• A June 15, 2018 three-vehicle accident involving two cars and a tractor trailer on Interstate 84 near Gresham, in which two of the drivers involved were determined to be driving under the influence. At least one of the drivers was reported to have suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash.
• A tragic single-vehicle accident in Molalla, which also occurred June 15th, in which a drunk driver ended up killing one of the passengers in his vehicle. It happened while 34-year-old Shane Richard Bremer was driving on South Dickey Prairie Road with his girlfriend, along with her three children in the backseat. The accident claimed the life of 6-year-old Derick Bedwell, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver now faces charges of reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants, and manslaughter in the first degree, as police continue to investigate the incident.

The DOT reports that as of June 28, 2018, 17 fatal accidents have occurred in the Portland area thus far this year. A decade ago, there were only a few more than this amount that occurred over the entire year. Data from the state of Oregon shows that of the 300 plus motor vehicle deaths that happen each year, roughly two thirds are DUI-related.

Contact Us Today for Help

No amount of money can make up for the losses victims and their family members suffer as the result of a DUI-related accident. However, filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver can provide a sense of justice, while helping to ensure you and your loved ones have the compensation you need to recover. If you have been a victim of a DUI driver, reach out and contact the Johnston Law Firm or call (503) 546-3167 to request a consultation to discuss your situation today.