Driver’s bail increased in deadly Hwy 97 crash
Grief counselors were at Redmond schools Monday as several fund-raising efforts emerged after a violent Highway 97 crash that killed a 7-year-old girl and seriously injured three others. Meanwhile, the victim’s stepfather made his first court appearance and a judge increased his bail to $500,000.
Two of the four other girls who were in the SUV remained in critical condition Monday at Portland hospitals, while a third was released Sunday from a Redmond hospital.
According to family members, William Wayne Fix, 32, of Redmond, was driving the five girls home to Redmond from a birthday party Friday night 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.
“It was quite a chaotic scene, according to our troopers, as I think people would understand,” OSP Lt. Gregg Hastings told NewsChannel 21 Monday. “It was a very traumatic incident involving those children, just making sure they’re being cared for due to their traumatic injuries at the scene.”
Passenger Phoenix Marie Price, 7, of Redmond, was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.
Two girls were critically injured. Naomi Spansel, 14, and Olivia Jeanes, 10, also of Redmond, were taken to St. Charles Bend.
Spansel later was flown to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center’s Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, while Jeanes was flown to Oregon Health and Science University, also in Portland. Both remained in critical condition late Sunday.
Another, seriously injured girl, Valon Fix, 14, also of Redmond, was taken to St. Charles Redmond. A nursing supervisor said she was released on Sunday.
The fifth girl in the SUV, Izabella Robbins, 7, of Redmond, also was taken to the Redmond hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries and released Friday night.
Price was a student at Lynch Elementary School, where a crisis team’s grief counselors were made available for students, staff and parents.
“Certainly students who are younger don’t really understand what’s going on and need time to hear and know that there are adults in their lives are taking care of and helping them,” said Martha Hinman, director of student services for the Redmond School District. “
Hinman said extra help will be available for students as long as it’s needed.
“One of the things we know is important is to have normalcy for students and have that consistency, having students make sure they are in school, staying on the same routines,” Hinman said.
The school district also released a statement Monday:
“Our hearts are saddened at the news of the tragic accident that occurred this weekend involving Redmond School District students. We have activated our crisis team and plan. Counselors and staff at other district schools will be available to students to provide support. If your student needs additional support please contact your school or our district office at 541-923-5437. Our thoughts and prayers are with the students, families and staff affected by this horrible tragedy.”
Two GoFundMe sites have been created for the family of Phoenix Price:
http://www.gofundme.com/f56up4
http://www.gofundme.com/f69ues
Meanwhile, a friend of Jeanes has created a fund-raising site for her family, at http://www.gofundme.com/f490rw
A fund also was set up to assist the family of Naomi Spansel, at http://www.gofundme.com/f5d6kk
Spansel’s family issued the following statement Monday:
“Naomi’s family is thankful for the nurse at the scene, the team from St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, the ECMO team and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurses at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and the Ronald McDonald House.
If you would like to support Naomi, please consider donating to her GoFundMe page: http://www.gofundme.com/f5d6kk .
If you are unable to donate funds please pray for Naomi and if possible, donate blood to your local blood bank.”
William Fix first was taken to St. Charles Bend for treatment, and upon release was booked into the Deschutes County Jail.
Fix was arraigned Monday on revised charges of second-degree manslaughter, DUII, three counts of third-degree assault and one count of fourth-degree assault.
Fix looked visibly shocked and upset during his arraignment Monday on video hookup from the jail. As the deputy DA read the victims’ names, Fix just looked down. The judge increased his bail to $500,000 and stipulated that he not contact any of the victims or their families. Fix is due back in court early next month.
OSP troopers have asked to speak with any witnesses to the driving of the involved white 1997 Chevrolet Suburban between Bend and the crash scene. Any witnesses with pertinent information were asked to call OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888 . Messages will be forwarded to Trooper Gary Thompson for a return call, they said.
