MCMINNVILLE, Ore. (KOIN) — Two men who were allegedly street racing when they caused a fatal crash on Hwy 99W appeared in court Monday where they were confronted by the mother of an 18-year-old passenger who’s still hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
“I just want them to feel what she’s felt for the last 48 days,” Melissa Gates said in court. “My daughter, I love her. That’s what I’m all about.”
Gates’ daughter, Natasha Fisher, has been in the hospital since the crash on May 4.
Jeremy Hopper, 24, and Andrew Olson, 22, were allegedly racing on Hwy 99W near McMinnville when Hopper lost control of his car, slamming into a minivan and killing 43-year-old Claudio Martinez Marquez. Fisher was in Hopper’s car during the crash.
“She doesn’t have any normal function left that a human being has, other than opening her eyes and moving her mouth,” Gates explained in court.
Hopper and Fisher were reportedly dating at the time of the crash. Now Gates says she wants her daughter’s former boyfriend and Olson to both stay locked up.
“She’s been in her own personal prison,” Gates said. “I just want them to be behind bars and know what it’s like… It’s sad because I liked [Hopper], you know. It hurts me, it hurts me to know that I trusted him with my daughter.”
Hopper and Olson are facing charges of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault, fourth-degree assault and reckless driving.