Driver Comes Forward Following Bicycle Crash

"Well…yes, we do have compassionate and extraordinary citizens among us." - Detective Jim Strovink

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce the female driver believed responsible for a collision with her automobile and a bicyclist on Sunday morning has come forward.

Less than four minutes after listening to talk show host "Lars Larson" broadcasting information addressing the unfortunate accident involving bicyclist Howard Dempsey, the father of two teenage daughters, contacted the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office offering pertinent information linked to this regrettable incident.

Michael Willard of SE Nehalem, in Portland, immediately contacted the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office inquiring about the reported "Lars Larson" broadcasted incident he heard while attending to his duties as a laboratory technician. Confirming this provided information, Michael Willard acknowledged this in fact may have involved one of his teenage daughters, 19-year old Amanda Willard; a local dental assistant student, attending courses at Concordia.

A Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputy met with Amanda Willard this evening at approximately 7:00 PM; confirming she was in fact, the sensitive motorist involved in a collision with bicyclist Howard Dempsey, Sunday morning.

Once again, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office wishes to recognize the extraordinary dynamics involved with this most recent reporting: This motorist, now identified as Amanda Willard, stopped immediately after the collision and compassionately attempted to render aid and pertinent insurance information to the injured bicyclist Howard Dempsey – Dempsey refused and initially did not recognize the serious extent of his injury – electing to state, "I'll Just walk it off."

Detective Strovink spoke with Michael Willard earlier and commended this father for his exemplary parental guidance and roll-model stature. Strovink was informed his daughter Amanda brought this state of affairs to his attention shortly after the ill-fated incident and described the circumstances in full detail to her attentive father.

Our Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputy Dave Willard (Not Related) responded and interviewed Amanda Willard at her residence this evening and describes Amanda Willard as a truly sensitive, kindhearted and delightful young lady.

No citations have been issued -- and most admirably – all pertinent insurance information will be forwarded to victim Howard Dempsey.

The Michael and Amanda Willard family are willing to converse with news sources; however, employment and schooling obligations prohibit any media contact during the day on Thursday.

It is anticipated the Willard family will be available and may be presenting some literature to Mr. Dempsey on Thursday evening – Howard Dempsey is a recognized vociferous reader. Perhaps this will provide a continued opportunity for interested news sources to contact all the parties involved.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office wishes to commend all the news sources for recognizing such a heart warming and vitally important event.

We have all discovered there remains a great deal of genuine humanity circulating in our community – thank you!

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PDXfem January 29, 2008 7:54 am (Pacific time)

Are you people in Salem serious about writing an article about careless drivers being "extraordinary citizens"? The point is if she was that kind of citizen she would not have hit the cyclist in the first place. Think about what happened first. And it is not about recognizing this compassionate family coming forward because bottom line she is a careless driver. Hello she struck a man with her car!! It is not about protecting this young womens reputation! People die because they have been hit by cars you idiots!! The victim is the lucky one for surviving NOT the driver.

Peter P. January 28, 2008 5:16 pm (Pacific time)

That is the most painfully awful writing I've ever read in a newspaper. No wonder the postings above were so confused. I've re-read it several times and I still can't tell what "information regarding the accident" Lars Larson broadcast.

Vic January 25, 2008 10:38 am (Pacific time)

Sheriff Dave Willard is one of the cops that shot and killed Fouad Kaady, the guy who had all his clothes burned off him from an automobile accident. After tasering him five times, he was shot when he wouldnt lie face down on the pavement (with burns all over his body) and tried to get away.Willard was quoted as saying that he shot Kaady "because he didnt want him to get blood on him" So, Amanda was very lucky.

Anonymous January 25, 2008 7:38 am (Pacific time)

Neal, he was likely in shock, had a lot of adrenaline in his system, and simply did not know he was injured. This is common among accident victims. My husband totalled his truck head on into a tree at 40 mph(he was sneezing - allergies can be hazardous to your health). He called a tow-truck, the driver suggested an ambulance, he refused and asked the driver to take him and the truck home, about a mile away - he felt fine and assumed he'd just been extremely lucky. 5 hours later, he could barely breathe, and ended up in the hospital for two days with bruised lungs, bruised heart, and a broken rib (no airbags in the truck). He's no genius, but he's not a "moron".

Neal Feldman January 24, 2008 10:21 pm (Pacific time)

ok saw the insurance info reference. I stand corrected the cyclist was a moron. Ah well...

Neal Feldman January 24, 2008 10:19 pm (Pacific time)

None of that was in the article was it? The article said the father turned her in. There was no mention of her giving info etc and if that was the case why the big appeal to the public for info? It does not track. Ah well...

Anonymous January 24, 2008 12:20 pm (Pacific time)

Yes, Neal, you did. Please re-read the article. Just because Dad heard the appeal on the radio and she didn't, doesn't mean he "turned her in". Please also note that she attempted to render aid and deliver her insurance information at the time of the accident, which was shrugged off bv the victim. She informed her father of the accident shortly thereafter.

CCitzen January 24, 2008 8:33 am (Pacific time)

Role model or "role model"

Neal Feldman January 23, 2008 11:15 pm (Pacific time)

Sounds to me like the father turned in the culprit... not that the culprit heroically came forward on her own. Or am I misreading the article? Ah well...

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