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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2010)
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Vernonia, OR 97064 Permit No. 37 Vol. 25, No. 14 THE INDEPENDENT The Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley for Over 25 years July 15, 2010 Stolen car crashes killing driver, passenger later dies in hospital A stolen car, a police pursuit, a spike strip and a collision with a tree ended the lives of two men on Scappoose-Vernonia Hwy. the evening of July 4. The chain of events began on July 3, when the driver of a 1989 Nissan 240SX that was reported stolen in Portland, eluded Scappoose police. On July 4, just after 9:00 p.m., Co- lumbia County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Dews saw the stolen ve- hicle near Brinn and Pittsburg Roads. When the deputy tried to overtake the Nissan, the chase began. The pursuit went up Sykes Rd., then up Cater Rd., before coming towards Vernonia on Scappoose-Vernonia Hwy. The 16 mile pursuit took just 15 min- utes. During the chase, the driver, later identified as Brooks Jay Anderson, 33, St. Helens, threw items out the window at the deputy’s car. The items in- cluded an anti-theft device (“The Club”), a gasoline can, and a pair of pants. One of the Dustin Talbot and his horse in Vernonia’s 4th of July parade. There are more 4th of July photos on page 24. Fire Season triggers regulations The 2010 Fire Season was officially declared for Northwest Oregon beginning July 8. The fire season designation in- cludes lands protected by the Department of Forestry within Columbia, Clatsop, Multnomah, Washington, Tillamook and Yamhill counties. Regulations affecting forest operations and open burning went into effect with the decla- ration. Those working in the woods are required to have fire prevention and fire fighting equipment on the job site. In addition, a fire watch is required to be on the operation site after the shutdown of equipment. This level of precaution is called Industrial Fire Precaution FREE Level 1. In addition, the declaration of fire season means that open burning is shut down through- out Columbia County until sig- nificant rains occur in the fall. Fire officials urge everyone to use good fire prevention practices whether working or playing in the forests or other areas of flammable vegetation. As fire danger conditions pro- gress into the moderate to high categories, expect to see fur- ther fire prevention restrictions. For information regarding current public and industrial regulations in effect on local forests, contact the Columbia City office, Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-397-2636. NEW SCHOOL TOWN HALL July 28 – 7:00 p.m. 2011 Miss Rodeo Oregon SCHOOL CAFETERIA Story on page 9 Mackenzie Carr chosen items thrown hit and broke the deputy’s windshield. In the meantime, the Ver- nonia Police Department was contacted and asked to lay spike strips to try to deflate the stolen vehicle’s tires. Sergeant Mike Conner and Officer Shawn Carnahan responded and laid spike strips at the 3- mile marker. It appears that An- derson tried to avoid the spike strip, losing control of the vehi- cle, which then left the road and hit a tree before catching fire. Deputy Dews and Officer Carnahan were able to pull the passenger out of the vehicle before being forced back by the flames. The passenger, Robert J. Regan, 37, was LifeFlighted to Legacy Emanuel Hospital with serious injuries. Regan died July 7 of his injuries. An- derson remained in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene; he was later identified from dental records. At the time of the incident, Anderson was wanted on sev- en outstanding felony and mis- demeanor warrants that includ- ed charges for Unlawful Pos- Please see page 4 A fiery crash killed the driver and passenger in a stolen car as they tried to elude police.