A Molalla woman was among a trio cited or arrested by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office in a series of impaired driving crashes on New Year’s Day.
Mekenna Keliihoomalu Nelson, 22, was the sole occupant and driver in a single-vehicle crash reported at 8:20 a.m. Jan. 1 in the 29500 block of SE Beavercreek Road in Mulino.
Deputies say Nelson was driving in a Ford Fusion southbound when she veered off the road during a straight stretch, knocking over a PGE utility pole before driving off the embankment.
Power lines were blocking the roadway when Molalla Fire personnel arrived on the scene. Nelson was reportedly uninjured, but had complaints of pain.
Their investigation indicated Nelson was “impaired and unable to operate a motor vehicle safely,” but believed to be under the influence of drugs, not alcohol. She was placed under arrest for driving under the influence of intoxicants and transported to Clackamas County Jail.
A drug recognition expert (DRE) evaluated Nelson later and determined she was under the influence of marijuana and a depressant.
Nelson was issued a citation in lieu of custody and taken to an area hospital. Portland General Electric responded to repair the pole and power lines in order to restore power to those affected.
BMW Crashes into Happy Valley Office Building
Earlier that morning, at approximately 6:45 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a traffic collision at 9200 SE Johnson Creek Blvd. in Happy Valley. It was reported that a silver BMW had crashed into the building at that location, and the two male occupants were walking away from the crash scene.
Deputies responded, and the two were located and detained a short distance away.
The deputies conducted an investigation — which led to the arrest of Pablo Favian Rodriguez, 26, of Portland. He faces charges of reckless driving, reckless endangering, hit and run, criminal mischief and DUII.
The adult male passenger initially stated he wasn’t injured, but later requested medical attention for pain associated with the collision. He was taken to an area hospital to be assessed.
The suspect driver, Rodriguez, was transported to the Clackamas County Jail and booked. Rodriguez provided a breath sample of .12 BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) — well over the legal limit of .08.
The building at 9200 SE Johnson Creek is believed to have some suffered structural damage. Repair costs were estimated as high as $80,000 for the building and signage.
Hyundai with Companion Animal Hits Apartments
Another DUII crash occurred at 10:45 a.m. at SE 72nd Ave. and SE Clatsop St. in Portland.
A female driving a Hyundai Elantra at a high rate of speed dove through the intersection and off the road, deputies said. The vehicle went through a fence and some bushes, and then collided with a residence. The building was later determined to be an apartment building.
Thankfully, no one inside the residence was injured — but a water main was ruptured and a load-bearing wall was damaged.
The driver of the car was identified as Chelsea Ryann Amos, 44 of Sandy. She appeared to have been injured during the collision.
Firefighters from Clackamas Fire District #1 and paramedics from American Medical Response responded to render aid and make the structure safe. The American Red Cross was requested to assist impacted residents.
Amos had a German Shepherd companion animal with her at the time of the crash. The dog ran from the crash but was picked up by some residents from the apartments. The dog did not appear to be injured, and was taken to Clackamas County Dog Services.
Amos was arrested for DUII, then transported to an area hospital for treatment.
