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HAZE Temp: 48 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 26, 2002 Drive-thru lane becomes ‘drive-over’ after dispute By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Running over a woman in a McDonald’s drive-thru could result in assault charges for an Eagle Point driver. Melissa Dian Kerr, 31, told police she thought her red Dodge pickup truck was shifted into park Sunday afternoon when she revved the engine at 45-year-old Rebecca Gail Willenborg. Willenborg was standing in front of the pickup while Kerr was waiting for her hamburger and fries. Willenborg, who lives in the 600 block of East Archwood Drive, was listed in good condition at Rogue Valley Medical Center on Wednesday. The two women did not know each other, detectives said. Willenborg reportedly approached Kerr’s vehicle that day after an earlier argument in the Wal-Mart parking lot off Crater Lake Highway. "It was a verbal dispute that escalated very seriously by the driver striking the pedestrian," said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. Kerr, who lives in the 1900 block of Stevens Road, called Medford police around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, reporting that she had struck a pedestrian at McDonald’s on Crater Lake Highway. Rescue crews took Willenborg to RVMC. She had a broken pelvis, broken arm and cuts on the back of her head, said Medford police Detective Justin Ivens. Both driving red full-sized Dodge pickup trucks, the two women narrowly missed a collision in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Crater Lake Highway, police said. Leaving her parking space, Kerr pulled through another space in front of her instead of backing up, and almost struck Willenborg’s truck, investigators said. "(Willenborg) was nothing more than startled," said Medford police Detective Terry Newell. The two women’s stories differ, but police said they exchanged obscene gestures and mouthed words before Kerr drove off and headed for a nearby McDonald’s. Willenborg followed Kerr and confronted her on foot in the restaurant’s drive-thru, investigators said. Willenborg later said she was trying to find out what was going on, while Kerr told police that Willenborg was screaming at her, Newell said. Kerr told Willenborg that she better move away from the truck, or she’d get run over, Moran said. She revved the engine, thinking that the Dodge was in park, but the truck jumped forward and hit Willenborg, Moran said. At least one of the truck’s tires ran over Willenborg, investigators said. Kerr has not been charged but could face felony counts of assault with a vehicle, Moran said. Willenborg could face charges of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. The case was referred to the Jackson County district attorney and remains under investigation. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S