Online preview: Overcoming the odds

The Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office has asked a grand jury to indict a Redmond man who allegedly was under the influence of alcohol when he crashed on the Powell Butte Highway near Highway 20 east of Bend last August.

Police said Shawn Seagraves Hall was speeding south on Powell Butte Highway when he ran a stop sign at the Highway 20 intersection. Five people were injured in the crash, including Nathan Severson, 21, Bend, who suffered a broken neck in the crash and was left paralyzed.

District Attorney John Hummel told NewsChannel 21 his office has finally gotten everything it needs to move the case forward to a grand jury.

“The injuries to Nathan are significant, and injuries to the other passengers are serious as well,” Hummel said.”The grand jury will determine, based on the evidence, what the severity of the assault charge should be. But when you have criminal activity causing injury, there will be charges that will reflect what happened.”

In the six months since the crash, Nathan and his family have been adjusting to a new life and are overcoming the odds.

Watch Nathan’s inspiring story on NewsChannel 21 on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.