PORTLAND, Ore. —A Lynnwood woman and three Oregon men died Sunday when their car was slammed into from behind by a pickup on Interstate 84 near Pendleton, Ore., the Oregon State Police reported.
A 46-year-old Carlton, Ore., man who police say was driving the pickup was booked into the Umatilla County Jail on investigation of manslaughter and drunk driving.
The man “has previous convictions for driving while under the influence,” said Lt. Gregg Hastings of the Oregon State Police.
Hastings said that accident investigators worked through the night and into mid- afternoon because of what he called “the serious nature of the accident.”
“Four counts of manslaughter requires an in-depth and detailed investigation,” Hastings said.
The driver of the car, Jessie Klien, 29 of Hermiston, Ore., and the three passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. The passengers have been identified as Michelle Sawyer, 29, of Lynnwood; William Johnson, 24, of Boardman, Ore.; and Fred A. Young Jr., 31, of Boardman, Ore.
The pickup driver was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, Ore., where he received medical treatment for minor injuries and was released. He was then arrested by state police on four counts of second-degree manslaughter and driving under the influence of intoxicants.
The Oregon State Police and the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office will be continuing the investigation.
Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.
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