Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 12:00 am
ALBANY - An Albany woman driving a car on Jefferson-Marion Road Monday evening inhaled a gas and then crashed into a tree, fatally injuring one of her passengers, Marion County crash investigators said.
The driver, Falon Rae Williams, 23, was taken to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis and then arrested.
Investigators have determined that "more likely than not" Williams had inhaled nitrous oxide gas, not C02 as previously reported.
She is charged with one count each of second-degree manslaughter and driving under the influence of inhalants, and two counts of second-degree assault.
She was being held in the Marion County jail.
"It is believed the inhalation or 'huffing' of these gases impaired Ms. Williams' ability to safely operate the vehicle." the sheriff's office stated.
Following the crash, back-seat passenger Rebeckah Jo Ann Crisman, 16, of Junction City was taken to Samaritan Albany General Hospital, where she died early this morning.
The other back-seat passenger, Paul Hartzell, 17, of Jefferson, sustained internal injuries and was taken to the Albany hospital and then transferred to the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland.
Michael Evan Matthews, 23, of Tangent, who was riding in the front passenger seat, was taken to the Corvallis hospital with a broken leg and possible other injuries, according to the sheriff's office.
The crash happened around 5 p.m. Monday on Jefferson-Marion Road at Skelton Road S.E., outside Jefferson.
Williams was driving a 2002 Ford Taurus.
For the Gazette-Times