17-Year-Old in Columbia County‏ Arrested for Manslaugher

An six month investigation led to the charges against the juvenile male suspect who they say was responsible for a crash that killed a 17-year old girl.

Salem-News.com

(SCAPOOSE, Ore.) - Police say that nearly seven months after the car he had been driving crashed and killed a teenaged passenger, a 17-year-old Saint Helens youth turned himself in to deputies who were looking for him, bearing a warrant for the juvenile suspect's arrest.

The boy was charged with one count of first-degree Manslaughter, one count of Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver, one count of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and one count of Reckless Driving.

"The juvenile suspect was indicted yesterday by the Columbia County Grand Jury," said Sheriff Jeff Dickerson, "and the intent at this time is to charge the boy in adult court."

Police say the charges against the suspect stem from a DUII-related, single-vehicle crash on Honeyman Road July 15th, 2008.

Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene to find no driver and a deceased female passenger. The deceased passenger was later identified as 17-year-old Molly Irene McCarter of Scappoose.

An investigation lasting more than six months and culminating in Thursday's indictment identified the juvenile male suspect and associated him with intoxication that contributed to the crash.

The Columbia County District Attorney's Office is pursuing charges against the suspect in adult court.