A 16-year-old student at Oregon City High School died this week in a single-vehicle crash on Henrici Road, near Athens Drive in the Beavercreek area, south of Oregon City. The victim was identified as Charles Anthony Brennan, or Charlie Brennan, of Oregon City.
Those who knew him say he was a junior at OCHS, a 4.0 GPA student and an employee Stone Creek Golf Club, where he worked the cart barn.
According to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, the collision involved a 2013 Volkswagen four-door sedan that crashed into a tree at approximately 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. A nearby homeowner heard the crash and called 911.
The crash “significantly compacted” the front passenger side of the vehicle, according to deputies. Initial evidence indicates that Brennan was not wearing a seat belt. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Oregon City Police, Clackamas Fire District #1 and American Medical Response personnel also responded to the crash scene. Fire personnel extracted the driver from the vehicle and began life-saving efforts, but sadly, Brennan was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Clackamas County Medical Examiner, Clackamas County Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Technicians and Sheriff’s Office CSI personnel responded to the scene to gather information and evidence. Henrici Road was closed for several hours following the crash.
Brennan’s family has been notified, as have Oregon City High School officials, who have made counselors available to students as needed.
One parent, commenting on the story on an Oregon City Facebook group, summed up the feelings of many: “Teens, I am speaking to you when I say this: this is a parent’s worst nightmare. Please please be careful. Please wear your seat belts. Please slow down. You’re loved and you don’t know the impact losing you has on the whole community. Even those of us who don’t know you.”
