D.A. considers motorcycle fatality

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2002-10-28

Document text

D.A. considers motorcycle fatality A decision could be made in a couple of weeks about use of methadone By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune The Jackson County District Attorney's Office soon will decide the fate of a Rogue River man accused of causing a fatal accident in April while on methadone. Oregon State Police charged Anthony James Salmari, 42, with intoxicated driving and criminally negligent homicide following the death of Holly Lin Hall, 44, also of Rogue River. The district attorney's office, however, has not indicted or charged Salmari with a crime and the case remains open. District Attorney Mark Huddleston said Monday a decision probably will be made in the next two weeks. State police quickly wrapped up their investigation in the accident, but the district attorney's office asked them to reopen it in late summer. Huddleston said the additional work was concluded last week. "Clearly, we've gone through all the reports," Huddleston said. "We're still doing some follow-up on the case." According to police reports, Salmari was traveling west along Rogue River Highway at Milepost 7 the evening of April 26 when he made a left turn into an acquaintance's driveway. His car struck and killed Hall, who was driving east on her motorcycle. Hall, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene. Salmari reportedly told police he had methadone in his system when the accident took place - a chemical he legally obtained from the Josephine County Methadone Clinic. Driving while using methadone is not necessarily illegal, but it can be if police determine the driver's ability is impaired. State police arrested and jailed Salmari on $9,000 bail, which he later posted. In September, more than 50 of Hall's friends and family, riding motorcycles, protested at the district attorney's office on 10th Street, hoping to prompt action against Salmari. The protesters wanted to know why a decision hadn't been made. Deputy District Attorney Karen Loomis has said the case was delayed because of lengthy and detailed reports examining the crash. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected]     Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.