PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A teenage driver, who suffered multiple traumatic injuries and “incredibly” survived a t-bone crash on Hwy 26 in March, is now in Tillamook County Jail facing 18 charges, including manslaughter charges and multiple counts of DUII third-degree assault for the deaths of a 19-year-old Gresham girl and a elderly man visiting from Minnesota.
Caitlyn Marie Potter, who was 18 at the time of the crash, was booked into Tillamook County Jail on Wednesday. She’s being held on over $200,000 bond. She’s also being charged with three counts felony of third-degree assault. That crime becomes a felony charge if the driver was driving while under the influence of intoxicants.
Potter, whose 19th birthday was on July 4, had been recovering at OHSU for months after suffering severe injuries. She suffered a ruptured spleen, multiple fractured bones and her skull was separated from her spinal column. Doctors originally told Potter’s mother, Melinda, that her daughter would be paralyzed and have no brain activity.
Kendra Cornwell, a 19-year-old from Gresham, and Tom Bonneville, an 80-year-old visiting family from Minnesota, were killed. Four others, including a 12-year-old and an eight-year-old, were also injured in the crash.
Watch: Chopper 6 over the scene of the March 16 crash
Initially, officials said the March 16 crash, which closed Highway 26 at Timber Junction for over 5 hours, was a “complex and difficult scene.” It happened in a no-passing zone near the Mt. St. Helens viewpoint, east of the rest stop, at about 4:45 p.m.
Investigators, back in March, said Potter lost control of her Chevy Trailblazer and slid sideways into the oncoming lane, hitting a Toyota Tacoma and broadsided a GMC Acadia, the vehicle where Bonneville was sitting in the front seat. Speed and seat belts were believed to be a factor, according to Oregon State Police.
“We see a lot of accidents out there that are caused by people that are just in an hurry,” an OSP spokesman said. “Or someone is in a hurry and someone else isn’t paying attention and those two don’t meet well together.”
Court documents obtained by KOIN 6 News show that Potter is also being charged on multiple counts of assault, reckless driving and reckless endangering.
Dr. David Zonles, who was treating Potter, told KOIN 6 News in March ‘it’s quite incredible (Potter) even survived the crash.”
Melinda Potter said her daughter didn’t remember the crash and didn’t know how her friend, Kendra Cornwell, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, died.
Cornwell was killed 10 days after her 19th birthday. Her grandmother, Susan Bitton, told KOIN 6 News that Kendra and Potter were on their way back from Seaside, a place they would go to remember a different friend who ahd passed away months earlier.
Bitton, remembering Kendra days after she died, said her granddaughter was a “shining star, full of personality and life and love.” She was a Centennial High School graduate and an aspiring nurse.
“She wanted to take care of everybody and make sure nobody was ever hurt,” Bitton said. “She wore her heart on her sleeve.
“I don’t know anyone who didn’t love Kendra.”
Potter’s next court appearance is scheduled for Friday morning.