Estacada Man Arrested in Crash that Killed Motorcyclist

A Saturday evening traffic crash in Estacada, left a Washington motorcyclist dead.

(ESTACADA, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers arrested an Estacada man after he was released from a Portland hospital, for a crash that killed a Washington motorcyclist Saturday evening.

Sergeant Dan Swift with Oregon State police, says that at approximately 6:30 p.m., OSP troopers responded to a serious injury traffic collision on Highway 224 at Industrial Way in Estacada.

The investigation indicates a 1973 BMW motorcycle operated by 34-year old Van Kellems III of White Salmon, Washington was eastbound on Highway 224 just west of Estacada when a westbound 1992 Toyota 4Runner driven by 32-year old Christopher Mixon of Estacada, made a left turn directly in the path of the motorcycle.

The motorcycle struck the Toyota's passenger side partially throwing Mr. Kellems from the motorcycle. As a result of the impact the Toyota rolled over before coming to a rest on its wheels on the south side of the highway, according to Swift. Van Kellems was transported by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at about 10:30 p.m.

Mixon was taken to Oregon Health Sciences University where he was treated for minor injuries. Upon his release early Sunday morning, OSP troopers arrested Mixon and lodged him in the Clackamas County Jail on charges of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and second-degree Manslaughter.

Swift says Highway 224's eastbound lanes were closed while the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the collision. All lanes were re-opened by 8:45 p.m.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Estacada Fire Department, and U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers.

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Me July 31, 2016 12:02 pm (Pacific time)

The Toyota rolled over as a result of the impact by the motorcycle... This leads me to believe that the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed, which was undoubtedly a major contribution to the cause of the accident.

mike December 30, 2015 9:21 am (Pacific time)

i just wanted to put my 2 cents in its been driven me crazy knowing that he has been releaced from prison i think in my openion he should have to spend the rest of his worthless life in prision its not right at all he can take a life and think he can get away with it its bull shxx and for every one to stick up for him like he is a good guy that made a misteak thats bull shxx he is a worthless peace of garbage shxx that dosent deserve to breath how is it ok for him to take a life and live to tell the story when he was the dumb fuxx who desided to leave a party drinken i think he needs the death chair its only fair a life for a life now this worthess fuxx is out in the free world injoying life with his family as if nothing ever happend its bull shxx van cant be with his family during the hollidays its pure bull shxx its a dam good thing i dont know van or his family cause if that happend to some one in my family id make sure that worthless puke chris never seen the light of day again he dosent deserve to

D November 17, 2010 1:37 am (Pacific time)

Yes this was an accident. Preventable. Stubbing your toe and hitting your funny bone also preventable, but it still happens. motorcycles are always so hard to see. Always devastating when people die so young.

Anthony Mixon July 26, 2010 1:54 pm (Pacific time)

My name is anthony mixon my older brother is christopher i just want to let everyone know that u should think before u act and my brother didnt set out for this to happen there is no excuse for any actions but our family give our most sincere condolances to the kellem family may van rest in peace. I would just like to say that my brother does feel very bad for what had happened i was there in the hospital with him and this will never leave him for the rest of his life i tried to find a way of getting ahold of the kellem family to give them my condolances and see how they are holding up i hope that u all are holding up ok

Sara December 15, 2009 10:25 pm (Pacific time)

This story is sad for everyone involved. Chris and I go way back he is a good person with a great heart. This mistake and bad choice will forever change two different familes. My prayers are still with Van Kellems 111 family and friends. And my prayers are with Chris too. Keep your head up Chris..

Felicia July 23, 2009 1:47 pm (Pacific time)

Chris is a good person who made a stupid mistake. I wish that he just would have stayed home and this would have never happened. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing. He knows what he did was wrong and he feels more than bad. He will learn his lesson and hopefully everyone who decides to drink and drive will think twice. It could have happended to anyone. I love you Chris!!! Condulances Van Kellems III family and friends. Its unfortunate.

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Estacada Man Arrested in Crash that Killed Motorcyclist

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