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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Transient who shot girlfriend for nagging in Rogue River convicted of murder Rogue Disposal considers rate increase Man jailed for allegedly firing shots in trailer park Second man sentenced for robbing elderly couple outside Talent Hunter to earn Eagle Scout honor Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Transient who shot girlfriend for nagging in Rogue River convicted of murder Man jailed for allegedly firing shots in trailer park Second man sentenced for robbing elderly couple outside Talent Elk poacher ordered to pay $17,000 for Lake Creek Road area crimes Emergency Services, May 14 Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Education South Medford, Ashland high schools earn national honors Medford garage sale will put books in African kids' hands Medford schools restore parent-teacher conferences Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Medford schools still filling admin roles Environment Jackson County declares drought disaster Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Stopping fire in its tracks State News Panel sends Jackson, Josephine drought declarations to governor Court overturns $85 million award for Oregon soldiers Oregon families should get $284 in tax rebates next year Pot tourism, one way or another, expected in Oregon Roseburg City Council holsters decision on garage-based gun store Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Katie Beth (Lehnhardt) Marical Russell Dale Williams Keith D. 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Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead George Will: In childhood, risk is inherent Editorials Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead Our View: E-cigarette bill is half right, half wrong Our View: Abundant water no excuse for waste Our View: Mental health funding should be a priority Other Views: Court ruling means PERS reform is dead Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 14 Letters to the Editor, May 13 Letters to the Editor, May 12 Letters to the Editor, May 11 Letters to the Editor, May 10 Columns Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability George Will: In childhood, risk is inherent Dana Milbank: Power to the populists Kathleen Parker: Defining deity down: Changing others' religion Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback Season Stepp: Use pink lemonade in recipes William Keesler: Home alone with Arty Pergola, arbor, gazebo: Learn the differences Marketta Gregory: God doesn’t need our polished marketing Food Season Stepp: Use pink lemonade in recipes Quick, easy, versatile Page H. 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Rogue Disposal considers rate increase ... Man jailed for allegedly firing shots in trailer park ... Panel sends Jackson, Josephine drought declarations to governor ... Rogue Disposal considers rate increase ... Man jailed for allegedly firing shots in trailer park ... CRIME Drunk driver gets 13 months for hitting pedestrian Victim was critically injured and may have been trying to commit suicide By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 13, 2015 @ 4:43 pm By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 13, 2015 @ 4:43 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> A Central Point man driving home drunk from a bar was sentenced today to 13 months in prison after hitting a pedestrian who may have been trying to commit suicide by stepping in front of his truck. George Vincent Prauss, 34, of the 2500 block of Mistletoe Court was given two months credit for the time he was held in Jackson County Jail after the October 2014 collision. His driver's license will be revoked for one year after he is released. "He was intoxicated and driving home and hit a pedestrian," said defense attorney Garren Pedemonte. "This individual was attempting to commit suicide and happened to pick Mr. Prauss' truck because it was large — and he happened to pick an intoxicated driver." The victim, Christopher Thompson, was left severely injured and lying in a right-turn lane into a Goodwill store on Highway 62. Prauss, who said he was in a blackout state and didn't know he hit a person, drove away from the scene. Thompson was taken to a Portland-area hospital in critical condition and later improved enough to be released. His medical bills of $51,244 will likely be paid by Prauss' vehicle insurance company, according to court testimony. "The victim was injured very seriously and hospitalized," said Jackson County Deputy District Attorney David Orr. Orr said it's not certain Thompson was actually trying to kill himself. Thompson had talked in the past about committing suicide by going into traffic, but he may have just been walking on the sidewalk and then crossed through the turn lane near Goodwill. "Jurors would scratch their chins and say, 'What happened?' Orr said. "Ultimately, I think this is a fair resolution." Orr said Thompson has ongoing mental health issues. Pedemonte said the victim likely was trying to commit suicide. Thompson had broken up with his girlfriend the day of the collision and had sent a text message that he wouldn't be coming home. "In the past, he said he would walk out in front of a truck," Pedemonte said. After the collision, Thompson told police officers that cars on Highway 62 had been swerving around him, indicating he was in the roadway, Pedemonte said. Orr said Prauss habitually got drunk and drove. He had been drinking heavily at the Whiskey River Cafe & Lounge on Table Rock Road. The wait staff cut him off, but he kept trying to get other patrons to buy him drinks. On the Monday after the Saturday night collision, Prauss' roommate contacted Oregon State Police and said Prauss had been highly intoxicated and struck something. His 1997 Dodge Ram pickup was damaged. Oregon State Police found the pickup at F V Martin Trucking Co. in White City where Prauss worked. Strands of human hair were caught in a broken side mirror and a missing chunk from the mirror matched debris found at the collision site, according to an affidavit. In handing down the 13-month prison sentence, Jackson County Circuit Judge Lorenzo Mejia said Prauss could have been sentenced to far longer, but he cooperated with investigators and the victim's intentions the night of the accident were unclear. "You were blotto. I know this doesn't seem like your lucky day, but I could easily see this being assault-two and you doing five years and 10 months," said Mejia, referring to the mandatory minimum prison sentence for second-degree assault under Oregon's Measure 11. "It was just a big mistake," Prauss said, vowing to pursue alcohol treatment. Pedemonte said Prauss took a sip of beer after being released from jail, but has since sworn off alcohol. "Because of this, he said the taste and feeling of it made him sick and he intends to never drink again," Pedemonte said. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous .         By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted May. 13, 2015 @ 4:43 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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