No charges in fatal accident

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2018-09-18

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No charges will be filed in the death of a pedestrian struck by a Dodge pickup June 13, the Jackson County District Attorney’s office has determined. The DA, in an official release, stated there is insufficient evidence to support beyond a reasonable doubt that Susan Alleman, the driver who struck 75-year-old Claudia Townsend, acted in a reckless or criminally negligent manner. Alleman told police that she made a left turn on West Main Street in Rogue River and slammed on her brakes when she saw Townsend in front of her. “Alleman stopped immediately,” according to the DA. She denied using her cellphone at the time of the accident and was visibly emotional, according to police at the scene. A drug-recognition expert determine Alleman was not under the influence of intoxicants. She also provided a urine sample, which determined she didn’t have any intoxicants in her system. “Officers found no evidence that Ms. Alleman was using her cellphone or was otherwise distracted at the time of the crash,” the DA wrote. The accident occurred at a four-way intersection where Alleman made a left turn onto West Main Street. Townsend, according to police, was crossing the street approximately 40 feet from the crosswalk when she was struck by Alleman’s vehicle. Investigating officers found an inflatable bear near the intersection that may have been a visual obstruction for Alleman. Townsend was transported to the hospital but died two hours later. “The events of that day were a terrible tragedy,” the DA’s office wrote. “However they do not rise to the level of criminal conduct.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm .