Document text
D.A. wants to continue probe of fatal collision By JILL BRISKEY The Jackson County District Attorney's Office dismissed charges against a former Medford teen accused of causing a fatal, two-vehicle collision in June but have asked police to continue their investigation into the incident. Eighteen-year-old Anthony Paul Carlisi, who lists his address in Red Bluff, Calif., was arrested and jailed by Medford police following the June 24 accident. He was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants and criminally negligent homicide following the collision on Poplar Drive. Ashland High School student Traci Elizabeth Tedaldi, 17, died in the accident. According to a probable cause affidavit, Carlisi told police that he had smoked marijuana sometime "in the last 24 hours" before the collision. According to Deputy District Attorney Tim Barnack, the charges were dismissed July 27 because additional information on the accident was needed. Charges can be refiled against Carlisi, Barnack said, adding that the case is under active investigation by Medford police. "(The charges) were dismissed without prejudice," Barnack said. "We wanted to make sure we have the whole story." According to police, Carlisi - who was living in an apartment complex at 2101 Poplar Drive at the time - was driving south in his 1975 GMC pickup when he allegedly made an illegal left-hand turn to get to his apartment. Medford police said Carlisi's truck reportedly collided with a 1980 Plymouth Champ traveling north. The Champ was driven by Jonathan Ellis, 18, of Medford. Carlisi's passenger, 12-year-old Skye Thompson, suffered minor injuries and was treated and released. Seventeen-year-old Michael Williams was a passenger in the Champ, along with Tedaldi. Williams, who was sitting in the back seat at the time, was critically injured and taken to Providence Medical Center. Williams has reportedly been moved to a private, local hospital. Information regarding his condition was not available. Tedaldi, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was also taken to Providence and died from injuries received in the accident, police said. Ellis also was injured but later released. All teens in the Champ were wearing seat belts. Police were unable to comment on how much or when Carlisi allegedly smoked marijuana prior to the accident. Attempts to contact Medford police regarding their continuing investigation were unsuccessful Friday. 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.