One man was killed while four others were seriously injured in an Oregon car accident last Saturday.

The Estacada News reported that the car accident occurred at around 8 p.m. at McIver State Park when a 1996 four-door Volkswagen Passat driven by 21-year-old Katie Erin Warren drove off a shoulder, hit some trees and landed in a ditch.

Passenger Chester Raimer, 48, was killed while four others including Warren were injured.

Oregon State Police officers who arrived at the scene said that alcohol and high speeds contributed to the car accident and that Raimer was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the car crash. Witnesses said that they saw Warren driving erratically and entering the park at a very high speed. While Warren was treated for minor injuries, she was also arrested upon her release from the hospital for multiple charges including second-degree manslaughter, driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Firstly, I'd like to express my condolences to Mr. Raimer's family and friends and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured victims. It's always sad when our loved ones are taken so suddenly from us but it's even sadder when their deaths and injuries could have been avoided.
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), there were 44,162 traffic crashes resulting in 27,849 injuries and 455 deaths in 2007. Many of these involved drunk driving incidents and passengers and drivers who neglected to wear safety restraints.

From the police and witness reports, it appears that the group was enjoying a fun weekend together. Unfortunately, things took a tragic turn through a combination of alcohol and speeding.
In such cases, it is always advisable to consult a Portland car accident lawyer who can help determine what really happened. A good car accident or personal injury lawyer will offer a free consultation to help assess the merits of a case and make sure that victims and their families are properly compensated for any emotional, mental, physical or financial hardships.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to urge everybody to always wear their seatbelts and to refrain from drunk driving. Unfortunately, such carelessness can quickly turn a good time into a nightmare in a split second, resulting in the loss of life and limb of loved ones who had trusted you with their safety.