Search Narrows Bend Hit-And-Run Focus
Although Bend police remain tight-lipped about January’s hit-and-run investigation, a search warrant executed on 37-year old Bret Biedscheid’s car provides more details of what exactly officers were looking for in the first two days after the crash.
Documents from Deschutes County Circuit Court show police seized several phones, three computers, and two GPS devices from the home and car of Biedscheid, named a person of interest in the investigation.
A search of his 2008 GMC truck uncovered front-end damage, broken pieces on the passenger side headlight, and a red substance consistent with blood, according to the search warrant.
Closer examinations at the police department turned up broken lens pieces and a missing amber bulb consistent with debris found at the scene.
Whats more, police found imprints on the bumper and passenger side, consistent with a bike tire — possibly the tire mark of 48-year-old Anthony Martin, who was walking his bike across Third Street last month when he was struck by a car.
The frustration continues for the victim’s family as they wait for answers.
Stephen Garcia, a friend of the victim’s family, said, “We just don’t understand how a human being can hit someone else and drive away — doesn’t make sense.”
According to the warrant, police swabbed the steering wheel and gearshift, and the Biedscheids allowed investigators to take samples of their DNA, fingerprints and palm prints.
Biedscheid’s attorney, Portland lawyer Stephen Houze, had a protective order barring police from examining a desktop computer and shredded paper that were seized, claiming the items contain confidential attorney-to-client material.
Biedscheid is still not considered a possible suspect in the case, but for the family, a suspect isn’t enough.
“It kind of helps they have a person of interest,” said Garcia. “But at the same time, it doesn’t, because this will never end. This is an open wound in our hearts, and it will never stop.”
Deschutes County District Attorney Patrick Flaherty told NewsChannel 21 Tuesday that it will be around two weeks before his department gets any forensic test results back from their search.
