Driver accused of DWI in fatal wreck

By KATU.com Staff Published: Jul 19, 2009 at 1:03 PM PST Last Updated: Jul 19, 2009 at 3:20 PM PST
Driver accused of DWI in fatal wreck
Oregon State Police released this photo of debris from a wreck involving an SUV and a motorcycle near Estacada Saturday evening.

ESTACADA, Ore. - Authorities have arrested a man they believe was intoxicated when he caused a wreck that killed a motorcyclist near Estacada Saturday evening.

According to Oregon State Police, 21-year-old Christopher P. Mixon of Estacada was driving a 1992 Toyota 4Runner west on Highway 224 when he turned left at Industrial Way directly in the path of an oncoming 1973 BMW motorcycle about 6:30 p.m.

The motorcyclist, 34-year-old Van Kellems III of White Salmon, Wash., was taken by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, where he was later pronounced dead about 10:30 p.m., state police said.

Mixon was taken to Oregon Health and Science University, where he was treated for minor injuries and released into the custody of state troopers. He was lodged in the Clackamas County jail on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants and second-degree manslaughter.