Driver in fatal DUII crash out of jail, on house arrest

A Deschutes County judge agreed Thursday to the release of a Redmond man on bail, but under house arrest, six months after he crashed his SUV on Highway 97 north of Bend, killing his 7-year-old stepdaughter and injuring four other girls.

Circuit Judge Stephen Forte set conditions for William Wayne Fix, including that he must wear a GPS monitor and alcohol sensor and can only leave his home for medical or legal reasons. Fix, who faces manslaughter, DUII and other charges in the Sept. 7 crash, also cannot drink alcohol, visit bars or drive, the judge said.

Fix crashed his SUV on Highway 97, and police reports showed he had a blood alcohol level of .10 afterward. Phoenix Price, Fix’s 7-year-old stepdaughter, died at the scene.

Fix is due back in court March 20 th to enter a place to manslaughter, assault and DUII charges. His bail, which was raised to $500,000 in court shortly after the crash, is currently $100,000, though his attorneys tried but failed at Thursday’s hearing to have it reduced further, to $60,000.

Fix was released from the Deschutes County Jail by Friday evening.

According to family members, Fix was driving the five girls home to Redmond from a birthday party at Pappy’s Pizza in Bend when the crash occurred on northbound Highway 97 near Young Avenue.

Oregon State Police said Fix was driving a 1997 Chevy Suburban “in a reckless manner” when he lost control and it left the road, struck a rock embankment and rolled, coming to rest on its side.

“He should not have the right to get out and hang out with his family and friends,” the girl’s father, Joshua Price, said during the emotional court hearing as Fix looked down, his eyes red. “He already took one child from me, is he going to take anyone else’s, because he wants to have a couple drinks?”

Both of the girl’s parents spoke in court, but divided on whether he should be allowed to leave jail.

“He was trusted with my daughter’s life, and the lives of other children,” Price said. “And he did not care whatsoever. He thought it would be better to have some beer first.”

But the girl’s mother said, “Nothing’s been proven yet, so all these people don’t want him out on the assumption that he was drunk, and he wasn’t. They have the blood alcohol draws, and his day in court is still waiting.”

The grieving father later told NewsChannel 21 he wants justice for his little girl.

“The man drove drunk and killed my daughter,” he said “But apparently, as long as he’s a long-time citizen of the area and doesn’t have an extensive record, that it’s okay for him to leave jail.”

Of course, the impacts go beyond the parents of the girl who died.

“I don’t think it’s fair,” said the tearful mother of injured teen Valon Fix. “We are still dealing with so much.”

Price’s mother told the judge, “William is a good man. He’s a good husband and a terrific father. He’s been with me since the moment she was born.”

But the girl’s father thinks he shouldn’t leave jail with the charges pending.

“All he wants is freedom to do what he wants — to go to the store, go to work, hang out at home, you know, hang out with his friends. That’s not a luxury Phoenix gets. She only got seven years on this world.”