Man Charged With Smashing a Random, Occupied Car With a Backhoe

65-year old Joe Smith Photo Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff

(Aurora) - An Aurora man faces numerous charges after allegedly smashing an `86 Chevy Nova with five people inside with the bucket of a tracked backhoe. Marion County deputies say 65-year-old Joe Wendal Schmidt of Aurora, used the backhoe to smash the car in the roadway in front of his residence at 12277 Donald Rd NE near Aurora.

The occupants of the car told investigators that they were driving on Donald Rd when they came upon a backhoe tractor blocking the roadway. They say the man operating the tractor, Joe Schmidt, began yelling at them saying he believed they were there to kill him.

The red 1986 Chevy Nova was driven by 21-year-old Sheena Brown, of Clackamas. Also in the car were 41-year-old Don Eberius and 29-year-old Cheryl Simmons, both of Aurora, 26-year-old Eric Smith and his brother Bryan Smith, 17, both of Newberg.

They say that after threatening them, Schmidt began smashing the car with the backhoe bucket, breaking out most of the windows and causing severe damage to the car and the roadway. Kevin Rau with the Marion County Sheriff`s Office, says all of the occupants were able to get out without injury.

Many stories that end like this are the result of a feud or conflict between neighbors or acquaintances. But Kevin Rau says that was not the case this time, `There is no apparent relationship between the occupants of the car and Schmidt and they did not know why he decided to attack them."

Rau says Schmidt, who is the owner of the backhoe, was arrested and charged with DUII, five counts of Attempted 2nd Degree Assault and 1st Degree Criminal Mischief. He was booked at the Marion County Jail.