2 dead, 1 arrested in fiery DUII crash near Canby
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say a 20-year-old woman is accused of manslaughter in the deaths of two people killed when their car caught fire after a head-on collision Thursday near Canby, authorities said.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Vasilissa Kuzmin was the only occupant in a Lexus that crashed into another car Thursday night in Canby, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office says passers-by tried to free the driver and passenger inside the burning car, but weren’t able to get them out.
The driver and passenger were identified in court documents as Naylor Joles and Robert Lough.
Kuzmin was taken to a hospital for treatment. The sheriff’s office says her blood alcohol content while at the hospital was .21 percent.
Kuzmin was booked Friday into the Clackamas County Jail on suspicion of manslaughter and driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com
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Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office news release:
Please reference CCSO Case # 18-4606
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office arrested one woman on DUII and multiple Manslaughter charges following a fatal Feb. 15 two-car collision on S. Barlow Rd. that led to the deaths of a driver and passenger in a car that caught fire. At this writing authorities are still working to identify the victims.
At approximately 10:03 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, a Lexus G47 driven by suspect Vasilissa Kuzmin, 20, collided head-on with another vehicle on S. Barlow Rd. near the intersection of S. Barnards Rd. The victim vehicle caught fire. Bystanders tried to free the driver and passenger from the burning car, but were unsuccessful. Both occupants perished inside.
At approximately 10:15 p.m. deputies and Canby Fire personnel arrived at the crash scene and interviewed witnesses and Ms. Kuzmin. Kuzmin was transported by Canby Fire to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) for treatment of injuries suffered during the collision.
During the treatment Vasilissa Kuzmin’s blood was drawn and tested for alcohol content. OHSU staff reported Kuzmin had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.21%. A motorist will fail a DUII field test if their BAC reading is 0.08% or higher.
The Sheriff’s Office Detectives and the Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Team (CRAFT) (http://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/craft.html ) responded to the crash scene and investigated the roadway evidence and suspect vehicle. Preliminary results from CRAFT suggest Kuzmin’s vehicle was headed northbound on S. Barlow Rd., crossed the white fog line, and completely left the road onto the gravel and dirt shoulder. After traveling about 200 feet on the shoulder. The suspect vehicle then overcorrected back onto the roadway — crossing back over the center line and striking the victim vehicle head-on. The victim vehicle caught fire and both occupants died in the fire.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office is currently working to identify the victims’ remains. Once identified, the victim names will be released following family notifications.
Vasilissa Kuzmin, 20, was treated at OHSU and arrested. She is now in Clackamas County Jail, booked on charges that include Manslaughter II (multiple counts), Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and DUII — Alcohol. Bail is set at $250,000. A booking photo is attached. Complete booking info can be found online at https://web3.clackamas.us/roster/#inmates
ADDITIONAL TIPS SOUGHT
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking additional information in this case. Anyone with information on Vasilissa Kuzmin or her activities leading up to the Thursday, Feb. 15 crash is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line — by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://web3.clackamas.us/contact/tip.jsp . Please reference CCSO Case # 18-4606
