Central Oregonian

Teen pedestrian struck by driver Tuesday

The accident occurred as a result of obstruction to vehicle windows

Ramona McCallister

October 25, 2012

Fall weather has arrived, and frigid temperatures and low visibility have claimed the first pedestrian injuries in Crook County.

Tuesday morning, at 7:22 a.m., a 13-year-old juvenile sustained significant injuries when she was struck by Phillip Brown, 21, at the intersection of Northeast Mariposa Avenue and Pippen Lane. The juvenile was taken to Pioneer Memorial Hospital and later transported to St. Charles Medical Center, in Bend.

The pedestrian was walking to the bus stop, and Brown’s 1981 Datsun pickup was traveling east on Mariposa Lane. His windows were covered with enough ice to impair his view.

“He was cited for careless driving and obstruction of vehicle windows,” commented Prineville Police Department Chief Eric Bush. “The causing factor of the accident was the driver’s vision was obscured because of ice on the windshield.”

Bush emphasized that with temperatures getting cooler and sometimes below freezing in the mornings, drivers need to take the precautions and the time to clear their windshields.

“It is required under the law that drivers take the time to clean and clear their windshields before they take off.”

He said that apart from the legal ramifications, they can avoid an accident — which can result in more serious consequences. He added that if a driver’s window fogs up due to the lack of effort to defrost them, they are liable for the same consequences.

“Regardless of what is on your windshield, covering it or blocking your view, you can be cited for an obscure windshield,” Bush noted. “Take a little extra time to warm your car up. If you don’t want to waste your fuel warming your vehicle up, there are other techniques to keep ice off your windshield.”

He noted that drivers can put something over the window at night like a tarp or blanket to keep ice off the windows.

Bush said that the investigation is complete, with the exception of reviewing the results of the victim’s medical record of injuries. The report will be forwarded to the District Attorney for review, and their office will make any decisions as to whether or not criminal charges are filed.