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Driver was drunk, prosecutors say

March 30, 2022

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SALEM, Ore. — The man accused of driving right into a Salem homeless camp, killing 4 folks and hospitalizing two others, was driving 35 mph above the pace restrict with a blood alcohol stage greater than 3 times the authorized restrict, prosecutors stated Monday.

Enrique Rodriguez Jr., 24, is being held with out bail on a number of manslaughter expenses, in addition to a cost of driving underneath the affect of intoxicants.

Marion County Deputy District Lawyer Katie Suver stated Rodriguez misplaced management of his automobile early Sunday and crashed into the camp, flattening the location and pinning two people beneath the automobile. His blood alcohol content material was 0.26%, Suver stated. The authorized restrict is .08%.

Rodriguez was driving at 70 mph in a 35-mph zone, which is above the pace restrict of 35 mph for that highway, prosecutors stated.

Since 2014, Rodriguez has been present in violation of assorted visitors legal guidelines, together with driving with out a legitimate license and careless driving, Suver added.

Two folks died on the scene of the two a.m. crash, Suver stated. 4 others have been taken to a hospital, the place two later died. Rodriguez, who was the one occupant of the automobile, additionally was taken to the hospital, based on the Salem Police Division.

Authorities recognized these killed as Jowand Beck, 24; Luke Kagey, 21; Joe Posada III, 54; and Rochelle Zamacona, 29.

‘MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD’:4 killed in Salem, Oregon, after driver crashes into homeless camp; suspect arrested

Members of the family reply at arraignment

A number of members of the family and pals of the six victims of the crash have been current as Rodriguez was arraigned Monday afternoon. A couple of made statements asking for Rodriguez to be held with out bail.

Rodriguez’s mom, Maria Arreze, stated her son’s “mistake” is just not a mirrored image of who he’s.

Arreze stated her son ought to be held accountable for his actions, but in addition pointed to the Metropolis of Salem permitting folks experiencing homelessness to sleep off busy and harmful roads.

Jimmy Jones, govt director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Neighborhood Motion Company, which assists in offering companies for folks experiencing homelessness, instructed the Salem Statesman Journal, a part of the USA TODAY Community, that almost 50 folks with out housing have died up to now two years, however that is the primary incident involving this many individuals.

“Nobody deserves to need to dwell in unsheltered circumstances they usually rattling positive don’t should die in them,” he stated. “Tragedies like this can proceed till this nation makes a critical dedication to the concept that housing is a human proper, and that everybody deserves a heat, protected and dry place the place they’ll dwell with dignity.”

These remaining on the camp are more likely to be eliminated this week, the Oregon Division of Transportation stated.

Memorial honors neighbors, pals killed in crash

A number of folks gathered Monday afternoon for a small memorial in honor of the victims. There have been yellow and crimson flowers on the base of a tree the automobile had hit. Attendees have been invited to gentle a candle or a sparkler within the victims’ honor.

Nobody made speeches. As a substitute, they spoke quietly amongst themselves about earlier interactions with the victims and about their want for a protected place to sleep. Some have been serving to clear up, clearing the bottom with a shovel and rubbish baggage.