PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 23-year-old driver who allegedly told neighbors he was “slightly drunk” faces manslaughter charges after a chain reaction crash killed a man who may have been collecting bottles and cans.
Calum Breitenberg was arrested after the crash in the 7400 block of North Willamette Boulevard shortly before 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Police said the driver of a red Volvo sedan hit multiple parked cars before hitting Jason Barns of Tigard.
The driver first hit a blue hatchback, traveled through grass, snapped a maple tree in half, then hit Barns and pushed him into one of the lawns near the corner.
Witnesses said Barns was coughing and struggling with his injuries after he was hit. Though EMTs arrived quickly to help, the 32-year-old from Tigard later died.
Breitenberg remained at the scene.
Ellen Iven told KOIN 6 News her car was totaled. She said she heard the crash into the parked car first, ran outside and called 911. She said Breitenberg got out of the car and was standing near Barns.
“The driver is standing behind him with his arms crossed, not really doing anything and when he came out, the first thing he told my mom was that he was slightly drunk. He told everyone around him,” Iven said “Then the first cops came.”
Neighbors said everyone puts out their recycling on Thursday nights, which attracts a number of people. Barns may have been one of them, though police have not confirmed that.
However, Barns was definitely on the sidewalk when he was hit, authorities said.
Breitenberg faces 2nd-degree manslaughter, DUII and reckless endangerment.
