Judge upset Fix violated house-arrest condition

A Redmond man facing manslaughter and other charges in a fatal crash got a stern reminder from a judge in a Bend courtroom Wednesday: A no-contact order means just that — no contact.

William Wayne Fix, 33, was back in court Wednesday for a clarification on his release conditions. He pleaded not guilty last Friday to manslaughter and other charges in last fall’s Highway 97 crash that killed his 7-year old stepdaughter and injured four other girls, two seriously.

Since his release from jail earlier this month, Fix has been under house arrest with several conditions.

Deschutes County Circuit Judge Stephen Forte told Fix he has to wear an alcohol monitor and a GPS sensor — and he is under a strict no-contact order with any of the crash victims. He also can only leave his home for medical or legal reasons and cannot drink alcohol, visit bars or drive.

According to Fix’s defense lawyer, Joel Wirtz, Fix had a brief exchange with his niece on the street.

“I’m more than a little frustrated,” Forte told Fix. “When I say no contact, that means no contact. You need to be inconvenienced. You understand that?”

Fix says he accidentally ran into his niece and they only exchanged a few words. But the judge told Fix that’s not an excuse.

The prosecution also asked Forte Wednesday to confirm Fix can have no alcohol in his house, which the judge thought he’d ordered. The issue arose because Fix’s wife reportedly was arrested on a DUII charge in recent days.

Fix’s seven-day trial is scheduled to start on Oct. 13, on charges of manslaughter, assault and driving under the influence. Another court hearing is scheduled in August.

Last September, Fix was driving five girls home to Redmond from a birthday party at Pappy’s Pizza in Bend when the crash occurred on Highway 97.

His 7-year old stepdaughter, Phoenix Price, died at the scene and four other girls were injured, two seriously enough to remain in the hospital for several weeks.