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Driver won't face charges for accident By JILL BRISKEY The Jackson County District Attorney's Office will not file criminal charges against a Talent woman whose children were seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident June 25. Four-year-old Jason and 2-year-old Olivia weren't properly buckled up when the crash happened. Investigators said speed may have been a factor in the wreck. Jackson County Sgt. Dace Cochran cited Sara Holt, 25, of 220 W. Rapp Road No. 14, with endangering child passengers on Saturday following the district attorney's decision. "As a certified child safety seat instructor, I had some issues with the violations that Ms. Holt committed in her transportation of her two children," Cochran said. Holt was driving along Dead Indian Memorial Road, milepost 20, at 6 p.m. on June 25 when her car left the road and began to fishtail, according to Traffic Safety Coordinator Greg Halley. Holt's car spun 180 degrees and skidded between 50 and 60 feet, Halley said. Holt, who told Cochran she was driving between 45-60 mph in a 55-mph zone, was wearing a seat belt and suffered minor injuries when her car crashed into rocks in a creek bed. Olivia and Jason were both ejected from the car, each landing on separate sides of the creek. Although both children were seriously injured and Olivia Holt was treated at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, both are now at home and expected to make a full recovery, Cochran added. In Oregon, children must ride in a safety seat until they are at least 4 years old or 40 pounds. The law also states that children must also be "properly secure." Although Holt owned a safety seat, it was in Klamath Falls at the home of her children's father when the accident took place. Cochran said Jason had unbuckled the only working seat belt in the back seat to lie down prior to the accident. Halley said Holt wrapped a side seat belt around Olivia and, because the proper latch was broken, secured the belt using a different buckle from the center of the seat. "Obviously that kind of improvising won't withstand crash forces," Cochran said. A Jackson County deputy district attorney who did not wish be identified said Holt's actions did not meet the criteria of either a felony or misdemeanor charge of reckless endangering. Cochran said he disagrees with their determination. Last week, Jackson County safety seat coordinator Glenn Adams met with Holt and gave her two safety seats, Cochran said. Holt also is expected to attend the seat belt diversion class and learn how to properly install and use the seats. "I would expect her two children to be some of the safest passengers around in the near future," Cochran said. 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.