National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

A Good Samaritan pulled four people, including three small children, from an SUV half submerged in the rushing waters of a creek November 18, 2009, after the vehicle crashed on Widow Creek Road in Newport, Oregon, and rolled down an embankment. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office told the Newport News-Times that alcohol was involved in the crash.

The rescuer, who asked to remain anonymous, was passing by the crash site with his wife around 4 PM, when he spotted the car upside down in the creek. The man told his wife to call 911, then climbed down the bank and made his way into the fast-moving water.

The rescuer grabbed two children from their car seats, Kylie Gandy, 2, and Austin Gandy, 3. He then helped them and their mother, Amber Lee Gandy, 25, of Grand Ronde, out of the creek and onto the bank.

Lt. Dave Carey, with the sheriff’s office, described the mother as “very visibly intoxicated,” according to the Newport News-Times.

With the mother intoxicated and in shock, the rescuer was not aware at first that a 6-month-old baby was still in the car. As soon as he learned the baby was inside, he rushed back into the water and brought little Kameron Gandy back to shore. Kameron, though, had been in the water for several minutes by this time. He was not breathing and did not have a pulse.

Emergency responders transported the family to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City, where a medical team was able to revive Kameron. However, he was in critical condition, and was airlifted to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. He remained in critical condition as of November 19.

The mother and the other two children were treated and released from Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital.

According to KTVB.com, criminal charges are pending against Amber Lee Gandy.

Lt. Carey told the Newport News-Times that the family’s rescuer would be recognized for his heroism, publicly or privately. “The deputies on the scene believe that had this citizen not arrived when he did and taken the actions that he did, the four may not have survived.”

Our prayers go out to Kameron, who we very much hope recovers, though it’s likely he will suffer permanently from this deplorable event. And also, his siblings, who, even though they have been released from the hospital, still have some recuperation. Our thoughts are with the entire family, as they obviously have many things to deal with right now.

We are so thankful to the selfless acts of this stranger, who may never be recognized fully for his efforts.

According to a report from NHTSA, “Projects to Reduce Impaired Driving Among 21- to 34-Year-Old Drivers,” drivers aged 21-34 have the highest risk of dying in alcohol-related crashes, and the age group accounts for more than one-third of all drunk driving deaths. People in this age group also tend to have higher blood alcohol concentrations.

“The ABCs of BAC,” a pamphlet available at StopImpairedDriving.org, also notes that blood alcohol concentration rises faster in women, because they generally have less water and more body fat per pound of weight than men. Since alcohol is not absorbed by fat cells, alcohol remains in the blood longer.

But the risks are great for both men and women, at any age. In single-vehicle crashes, a driver with a BAC between .08 and .10 has at least 11 times the risk than a sober driver, and even small amounts of alcohol can impair a person’s ability to drive.

As we approach the holidays, and more people get together for parties, be sure to read about National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. And while you’re at it, watch the video, “Last Call.” Every little bit of knowledge and awareness will help prevent more tragedies like this one.

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Date: November 4, 2009
Location: North Willamette Blvd. & North Haven Ave., Portland, Oregon
Names: Kipp Crawford, Carlos Tyrone McCall, Felisa Washington-Berry

So many questions remain surrounding the death of Kipp Crawford, 31, a Portland, Oregon, musician who died November 4, 2009, after he was found in the road next to his bike. According to BikePortland.org, Crawford was hit by two cars, both of whose drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Accounts vary as to whether Crawford was already lying in the road when he was hit.

It was around 2:30 AM when he was run over by a Cadillac driven by Carlos Tyrone McCall, 41, then struck by a second car, an Isuzu SUV driven by Felisa Washington-Berry near the intersection of North Willamette Boulevard and North Haven Avenue, close to the University of Portland.

Portland police have accused the drivers with drunken driving in connection with the tragic crash. Washington-Berry was also booked for reckless driving.

Crawford was rushed to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, but, sadly, he died at the hospital. The cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma, according to the Multnomah County Medical Examiner.

Crawford was a drummer who played in several local bands, including Celilo, Thanks Kipp, and Fractal Quintet. The Ashland High School graduate loved bicycling, according to his mother, Jean Crawford, of Ashland, who told the Mail Tribune that it was not unusual for her son to be out pedaling at 2 AM. “He could have been coming from a gig or a recording session. Music was pretty much central to his entire life,” she added.

According to the Portland Mercury, there have been three other fatal bike crashes in Portland in 2009.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remained unclear as of November 4. A KATU news video posted on BikePortland.org reports that a witness heard an altercation, and some say Crawford may have been pushed. The Portland Police Bureau major crash team’s investigation included “hours” of interviews with the two drivers, according to The Portland Tribune.

Comments on the news stories have already begun to show the rift between drivers and bikers, but, as others point out, there is not enough information to know who is to blame. But facts or not, a person was killed, and we need to take moment to remember this man’s life. He obviously had a love of both music and cycling. Maybe as more information comes in, we’ll learn that he had a chance to do both right before he died. Our hearts go out to Crawford’s family and friends, and our thoughts are with you as time goes on.

This accident, unfortunately, highlights so many aspects of safe commuting. First, we don’t know if Crawford was wearing a helmet. Second, and most important and disgusting, there is the obvious infraction by the drivers who chose to get in their cars after drinking. Third, there is the question of whether there was an altercation or another person involved. We ask that anyone who knows anything to please come forward. For the sake of his family, who need answers.

After some of the questions are answered, we might also be able to move ahead and see if there are ways to make that stretch of road safer. Or we can educate everyone, drivers and cyclists, about the dangers of driving drunk. Our greatest hope is that Crawford’s death will not be in vain.

By presidential proclamation, December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (3D Month).

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