A 16-year-old Lake Oswego youth was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Stafford Road earlier this month — allegedly caused by another teen who is expected to face charges for his role in the incident.
The victim was identified by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday as Nicholas Colsell King. According to police, the at-fault driver was Christian James Mei, also a 16-year-old from Lake Oswego.
The crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, on SW Stafford Road and SW Newland Road, near Wilsonville.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Wilsonville police, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response responded to the scene, finding two vehicles with extensive damage and five people involved — several of whom had serious injuries.
Authorities requested Life Flight out of Kelso, Wash., and emergency crews closed Stafford Road between Southwest Mountain and Newland.
Emergency crews worked quickly to triage the patients. It was apparent that one teen, later identified as King, was the “worst off.” A deputy helped extricate him from the vehicle and began performing CPR, but to no avail.
King was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later, and Life Flight was canceled.
Deputies launched a crash investigation. A TVF&R chaplain also responded to the scene to support those involved.
The preliminary investigation indicated that a red 2001 two-door Acura, driven by Mei, was heading south on Stafford Road when it left the roadway, then over-corrected. The Acura then crossed the center line and came directly into the path of a 2019 Audi SUV.
The impact obliterated the passenger side of the Acura — where King was seated — as well as the front end of the Audi.
Mei was transported to an area hospital that night, with traumatic injuries. Further investigation revealed he “may have been in possession of a small amount of drugs,” police said. Deputies submitted the drugs to the Oregon State Crime Lab for analysis.
All three occupants of the Audi SUV were transported to the hospital — two by ambulance, one by a family member.
Once the investigation is complete, it is expected that a charge of first-degree manslaughter will be forwarded to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office for consideration, police said.
Photos courtesy the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office:
