Redmond crash victim improves to serious condition
One of two girls still in Portland hospitals had improved from critical to serious condition Monday. over a week after a drunk-driving crash on Highway 97 south of Redmond that killed a 7-year-old girl and left the girl’s stepfather in jail facing manslaughter and other charges.
Phoenix Price, 7, died at the scene and as of Monday, Olivia Jeanes, 10, was in serious condition at Oregon Health and Science University while 14-year-old Naomi Spansel remained in critical condition at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center’s Randall Children’s hospital.
Two other girls also riding in the SUV were treated and released shortly after the crash.
Meanwhile, the driver, 32-year-old William Wayne Fix. remains behind bars on $500,000 bail, facing charges of manslaughter and DUII. He faced arraignment on manslaughter, DUII and other charges Monday afternoon.
Tune into NewsChannel 21 at Five and Six for an exclusive talk with Price’s parents and the latest on Fix’s court appearance.
As the close-knit Redmond community reels from the tragedy, there’s been an outpouring of love and support. Friends of the families of Phoenix and Olivia held a bake sale to raise money for funeral and medical expenses.
“We got zucchini bread, we got banana nut bread, we have different Reese’s pieces, chocolate chip cookies,” Angelina Ward said Friday.
Ward and a couple of other women have also made hair bows of ribbon: pink, black and Hello Kitty to honor Phoenix, and bright neon colors for Olivia.
“There just beautiful people, and I wanted to help out,” Ward said. “Why sit back and worry about it, when you could be making a difference?”
Redmond cake decorator Amber Palmer also knows the families.
“It’s a terrible tragedy, and there’s going to be (an) ongoing process. All these children need to heal,” Palmer said.
The bake sale raised hundreds of dollars in a few hours. Some donations came from other friends, others from strangers.
“I’m part of the community, so I wanted to be able to give back,” said Marie Armon. “I think it was Phoenix that liked Hello Kitty, and one of my granddaughters is a Hello Kitty fan, so I thought that was really sweet.”
The bake sale continued through Monday. It was held at 1471 SW 17th St. each day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Baked goods, crafts and garage-sale items were available. Donations of money, treats, and gently used garage-sale items were also accepted.
The girls’ also have Go-Fund me accounts. You can visit the following links:
http://www.gofundme.com/f56up4
http://www.gofundme.com/f69ues
