Shock, questions follow La Pine hit-and-run death

It was outside the La Pine Inn Restaurant, on Highway 97 that Halloween ended in horror for many La Pine residents and in tragedy for a La Pine woman.

“It was probably the worst thing I’ve seen in my life,” La Pine resident Chuck Weishoff said Monday, as he described witnessing emergency responders trying to save a woman laying in the street. “I could see her body, all the blood.”

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said 44-year-old Angela Bartleson was struck and killed Friday night outside the restaurant and bar, run over by a man she was living with, 45-year-old Jerry Hannu.

Investigators would not confirm the pair’s relationship, although they were living at the same address. But Bartleson’s boss at another La Pine restaurant said Hannu was Bartleson’s boyfriend.

“It’s so sad,” said the owner of Wickiup Station Sports Pub. “She was such a great girl.”

Deputies said Hannu got out of his truck and ran away. On Saturday, Hannu was arrested on felony charges of failing to perform the duties of a driver to an injured person. He went to jail and bailed out shortly after.

Law enforcement officials did not return calls Monday from NewsChannel 21, and staff at the sheriff’s office said detectives were in La Pine all day investigating the case.

The La Pine Inn Restaurant owners also were tight-lipped, but employee Phillip Shields said the pair did have an altercation in the bar prior to the crash.

“Neither her (Bartleson) nor the alleged perpetrator were served alcohol in our facility,” Shields said. “Most of the (incident) is on-camera, and so we decline any other statements about the incident until the investigation is complete.”

Shields said law enforcement officials were at the restaurant until early Saturday morning, reviewing video recordings.

A La Pine woman who did not want to be named said she met Bartleson inside the bar and talked to her for a few minutes.

“They both we’re pretty drunk. They were drunk before they got here,” she said.

Patrons of the restaurant said the bar closed immediately, and they waited inside for hours as law enforcement investigated what had occurred. Many said they’re confused and still waiting for answers.

“He shouldn’t have fled the scene. He should have stayed here,” said one woman.

Weishoff said he didn’t know if there was more to the story, but added he was disappointed Hannu was already out of jail.

“Hopefully, the boyfriend that did it gets the full extent of the law,” Weishoff said.

Bartleson’s boss said she leaves behind two sons, ages 17 and 22. She said Bartleson had only been working at the restaurant a few months and was fairly new to La Pine.

Shields said Bartleson will be buried in Astoria. He said the La Pine Inn Restaurant has set up a fund for Bartleson’s expenses and family. Anyone can drop off donations at the restaurant, located at 51490 Hwy 97.