An accident over this past weekend was caused, apparently, by a drunk driver. Estacada resident, 21 year old Christopher P. Mixon is being held on charges of DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) and 2nd degree manslaughter for his role.
Saturday evening around 6:30 pm Mixon was driving his 4Runner when he turned into the path of a motorcycle carrying White Salmon Washington resident Van Kellems III. Thirty-four year old Kellems was taken by LifeFlight to Portland’s Legacy Emanuel where he was pronounced dead.
Mixon is now being held in the Clackamas County jail, according to this report from KATU.
Although incidences of driving while intoxicated rarely end in a fatal accident, they often end in arrest. This tragic accident show how quickly a life can be taken. Now, Mixon faces the possibility that he could lose a good portion of his own life behind bars for his alleged acts.
Accidents like this are the reason that Oregon Courts are so hard on DUI offenders. They treat each DUI case very seriously in the hopes of not only preventing future DUIs but also to serve as an example to the public that the state is concerned about safety on the roadways.
A first time DUII charge is considered a misdemeanor but is the highest level misdemeanor under Oregon law. Although it rarely happens, you can be sentenced to up to a full year in jail for a Class A misdemeanor like this.
With each DUII you have on your record, the penalty is multiplied. When you have multiple DUI’s the court is more likely to impose the maximum sentence as well as a lengthy period of license suspension.
If this is your first DUII you may qualify for a diversion program that seeks to keep the conviction off of your permanent record. Call me today to discuss more about diversion and to see if you might be eligible.