2 Redmond teens riding on outside of car thrown, seriously hurt in sudden stop
Car was being driven by their older sister, 17, police say
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Two Redmond teens riding on the outside of a car driven by their older sister were seriously injured Thursday night when she suddenly stopped and they were thrown to the ground, police said.
Police and Redmond Fire medics responded just before 11 p.m. to Southwest 31st Street near Indian Avenue for what initially was reported to be a hit-and-run crash in which two pedestrians were struck by a car, Lt. Eric Beckwith said.
Officers found a 13-year-old girl with life-threatening injuries and a 14-year-old boy with severe but non-life-threatening injuries, Beckwith said. Both were taken to area hospitals.
Police officers, detectives and an Oregon State Police crash reconstructionist conducted an investigation and determined there had been no hit-and-run crash.
Instead, Beckwith said, they determined the two injured teens had been riding on the outside of a car driven by their 17-year-old sister and were thrown from the car when she stopped suddenly.
The incident remains under investigation, Beckwith said, and no arrests or citations have been issued.
“Riding on the exterior of a vehicle is extremely dangerous,” Beckwith warned in a news release. “There have been numerous injuries and deaths as a result of this reckless activity. Oregon law prohibits juveniles from riding on the exterior of a vehicle, including beds of pickups.”
Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded to other law enforcement calls in Redmond Thursday night while police resources were committed to the investigation.
