Two Killed, Others Injured in Crash

Date: December 18, 2009
Location: Highway 26 near Boring, Oregon
Names: Anthony “Bruce” Petereit, Ashlee Bradbury, Terry Bradbury, Charles “Chaz” Bradbury, Dawn Nicole Misener

A fatal crash on Highway 26 near Boring, Oregon, on December 18, 2009, has claimed a second life, according to The Oregonian. Anthony “Bruce” Petereit, 53, of Boring, was pronounced dead at the scene, and a passenger in the other vehicle, Ashlee Bradbury, 15, of Vancouver, Washington, died from her injuries December 27.

At around 5:35 PM, OSP received reports of a car traveling east in the westbound lanes of the highway. Within minutes, the crash occurred. Petereit’s car, which was going the wrong way, hit a truck driven by Terry Bradbury, 43, of Vancouver.

OSP’s ongoing investigation suggests that Petereit may have been experiencing a medical problem related to diabetes, according to a press release. Toxicology results were pending.

Terry Bradbury was seriously injured and was taken by AMR Ambulance Service to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. His three passengers, Charles “Chaz” Bradbury, 14, of Vancouver, Dawn Nicole Misener, 17, of Sandy, and Ashlee Bradbury, were also seriously injured and taken to the same hospital; Ashlee Bradbury tragically lost her fight for life nine days later.

Comments on an article in The Outlook were mixed, with some expressing blame, but one commenter wrote that he had only known Petereit for a few months, but was “truly impressed by his character and positive upbeat attitude…. Bruce was a special and loved person.”

In another post, a friend of the Bradbury family said the surviving family members face a long road to recovery. To help with medical expenses, an account has been set up at LaCamas Community Credit Union, Terry Bradbury Relief Fund Account #100082, P.O. Box 1108 Camas, Washington, 98607. Donations can be made at any branch.

Ashlee Bradbury was a sophomore at Heritage High School, a competitive swimmer and member of the Evergreen Lacrosse Club. Ashlee was a cherished daughter, sister, and friend. Her family was shattered by news of her death.

As of December 29, Terry Bradbury was still in intensive care after a series of surgeries. Chaz Bradbury had been released from the hospital and is getting around in a wheelchair. Dawn Misener had also been released from the hospital.

We want the whole Bradbury family to know that we’re thinking of them, including much-loved Ashlee, as well as Misener and her family. We also send condolences to Petereit’s family. You are in our prayers.

Accidents like these can get complicated. And though it is still under investigation, it’s good to know what the families’ options are. In some cases, it can even come down to it being an “act of God,” in which no one is at fault.

Here are some other possibilities:
-The driver may have been on medication that specifically stated he shouldn’t drive. That would make it the driver’s fault.
-The driver may have been on medication that did not state he shouldn’t drive, but should have! That would make it the fault of whoever produced, tested, and labeled the medication.
-The driver may have been on medication that should state that he shouldn’t drive, but the pharmacist mislabeled it. Pharmacy’s fault.
-The driver’s doctor may have misdiagnosed a condition, and therefore failed to tell the driver that he shouldn’t be driving.

There’s no way to know what actually happened to cause this tragedy without further investigation. This is certainly a situation that can get complicated fast. A competent personal injury attorney can help guide you through the process.