A Portland judge has released an Oregon man who was accused of causing a fatal car accident while under the influence of alcohol, leading to local outrage.
The incident occurred on July 8, when officers from the Portland Police Department responded to a crash involving two vehicles in the Mill Park neighborhood.
The crash resulted in one car rolling over and the other driver, identified as 29-year-old Duprie Smith, sustaining a gunshot wound. Tragically, 11-year-old Ryan Ambrose, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles, suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
According to a report from The New York Post, Smith claimed in a now-deleted Facebook post that he had been shot twice and was on his way to the hospital when he passed out from blood loss and crashed into another car. Smith's attorney argued that an ambulance was taking too long to arrive, so his client decided to drive himself to the hospital, believing that he was "bleeding out."
Dashcam footage from Smith's car allegedly showed him driving erratically and expressing concerns about finding the hospital and his own mortality. The affidavit estimated that Smith was driving at a speed of 86 mph in a 30 mph zone, ultimately causing his car to overturn.
Smith was subsequently charged with manslaughter in the first degree and was initially held in the Multnomah County Detention Center on DUI charges. However, according to KAKE, the judge declined the prosecution's request for $100,000 bail and instead released Smith on enhanced DUII conditions.
These conditions prohibit him from possessing or consuming alcohol, using any drugs not prescribed by a doctor, driving or possessing a vehicle, and entering establishments primarily serving alcohol.
The decision to release Smith on zero bail has left the family of the victim frustrated and seeking justice. Mario Trejo, the grandfather of the slain boy, expressed his disappointment, stating, "He was killed by a drunk driver, and now this guy is in his house watching TV while my grandson is in a casket in the funeral home." Trejo questioned the fairness of the situation, asking if authorities were waiting for Smith to harm someone else before taking action. He emphasized the need for justice and closure for the entire family.
Trejo further lamented the pain and devastation caused by the loss of his grandson, who was just hours away from returning home after a two-week visit. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and is urging concerned individuals to support their cause.
In an emotional plea for justice, Trejo called attention to the innocence of his grandson, stating, "He was 11 years old and hadn't done anything wrong to anyone. It's not fair that he was killed by a drunk driver who was speeding and running red lights. It's not possible that it was an accident. He knew that driving recklessly could result in someone's death, and he didn't care. He was driving at 90 mph, ignoring traffic signals. So what did he expect would happen?"
Smith is scheduled to appear in court on August 1, where he will face the charges brought against him. The community continues to mourn the loss of young Ryan Ambrose and seeks solace in the pursuit of justice for his untimely death.
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