Bend driver arraigned on DUII, hit-and run charges, accused of hitting two pedestrians crossing Century Drive

(Update: Driver arraigned, details from court)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Bend man was arraigned Monday on eight charges, including DUII, assault and reckless driving in a Friday night hit-and-run crash on SW Century Drive that injured two pedestrians in a crosswalk, one seriously.

Bend Police responded shortly after 8 p.m. Friday to Century Drive near Cascade West Grub & Alehouse on a report that two people crossing the street were struck by a car and the driver fled the scene, police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

Officers arrived and found the two injured Bend men, ages 37 and 35. Both were taken by Bend Fire & Rescue medics to St. Charles Bend, one with life-threatening injuries.

While on scene, police were approached by Stuart Daniel Heater, 35, who Miller said admitted to being the driver who hit the men. He told police his car was parked nearby, in the 1400 block of NW Davenport Avenue.

Miller told KTVZ News the two pedestrians, apparently friends, were walking east together in the crosswalk. She said the driver “initially left the scene, returned and walked (officers) over” to the parked vehicle.

Initial formal charges filed against Heater on Monday included three Class B and C felonies – third-degree assault (DUII) and two counts of failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons – and five Class A misdemeanors, two counts of fourth-degree assault, DUII, recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving.

Heater appeared in court by video from the Deschutes County Jail for Monday’s arraignment. He initially was held without bail pending arraignment.

Circuit Judge Alycia Sykora set bail at $10,000 and ordered Heater to get an ankle alcohol monitor installed by Tuesday, if he posts 10 percent of bail and I released. She said he also must have no alcohol and not visit any bars or liquor stores.

Deputy District Attorney Mara Houck said one of the two men who was struck “bounced up into the windshield, was thrown 10 yards” and seriously injured. The other was hit in the legs, suffering abrasions and bruising.

She said several witnesses saw the driver speed up and leave. Law enforcement was on the scene taking photos and investigating when Heater returned and admitted hitting the pedestrians, Houck said. She said he had “texted a friend, who said to go back, and he did.”

The prosecutor said there were “some indications of impairment” and a tested blood-alcohol content of .05 or .06 BAC, below the state’s legal limit of .08. She said he “admitted having four shots of Fireball (whisky) at some point.”

While Heater has no known criminal history, Houck said his “initial reaction to flee the scene was very concerning.”

Defense attorney Bryan Donahue argued Heater is not a flight risk, as he has a “good job with a local company” for about five years and that his parents had returned an Arizona vacation to make sure he was supported.

Sykora set arraignment on an expected grand jury indictment for April 15 at 9 a.m. after Heater agreed to waive the 30-day requirement for an indictment after arrest.

“I don’t mind,” he said.

The Bend Police crash reconstruction team responded, and Century Drive was closed between Albany and Simpson Avenue until about 10:30 p.m. for the on-scene investigation, Miller said.

She noted that state law requires a driver involved in a crash to “stop and remain stopped, and render aid, if necessary.”