FIVE INJURED IN EARLY MORNING CRASH - DRIVER ARRESTED
Posted: August 2nd, 2011 10:23 AM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-08/1294/46551/darty.JPG (Patrick Darty )
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-08/1294/46551/Ford_Explorer_2.jpg (Crash Scene)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-08/1294/46551/Ford_explorer_1.jpg (2004 Ford Explorer)
Five people were treated for injuries following a early-morning vehicle crash on Grade Road SE near Spring Villa Road, east of Silverton.
Dispatchers received a 1:53am, 911 call from the occupants of the vehicle saying they'd been involved in the crash, but didn't really know where they were. This area is very remote and often used for off-road driving and as a place where younger people congregate.
Using the GPS tracking system in the cell phones, dispatchers narrowed down the location of the crash and dispatched Marion County deputies to the scene.
Deputy Mark Ferron arrived 30 minutes after the original call and found the badly damaged 2004 Ford Explorer. It had rolled several times and struck two trees. It's not known how long the occupants delayed in calling 911 after the crash.
All occupants of the vehicle were injured; with injuries ranging from minor to serious. None were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. A large bottle of whiskey was found in the crash debris.
Medics from several area fire districts were called to assist in the transport of patients to both the Silverton and Salem Hospitals. Life Flight transported the most seriously injured patient by helicopter to the Salem Emergency Room.
The occupants were identified as:
Patrick Lee Darty, 18, of Salem (Driver) - treated at the Salem Hospital
Brittney Bennett, 19, of Salem - Life Flight to Salem Hospital
Chelsea Bennett, 19, of Salem - treated at the Salem Hospital
Joselyn Opoeza, 20, of Salem - treated at the Salem Hospital
Sergia Jesus Ayala, 19, of Salem - treated at the Silverton Hospital
Consistent with HIPAA regulations, no further medical information will be released on the conditions of the occupants without their consent.
Deputy Nick Hunter, who is trained as a Drug Recognition Expert, assisted at the crash scene. He determined that Darty was impaired. Following his treatment at the Salem Hospital, Darty was arrested and booked into the Marion County jail. His charges include one count of Assault 2, three counts of Assault 4, DUII, Reckless Driving, four counts of Reckless Endangerment, and four counts of Furnishing Alcohol to Minors. He is being held without bail. His court appearance is set for 3:00pm, August 3rd.
The Marion County CRASH Team responded to the scene and will complete a reconstruction investigation on the crash.
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