Carlton Man Faces Manslaughter and DUII Charges From Quadruple Fatal Crash Near Pendleton

The driver was treated and released for minor injuries, then arrested on four counts of second-degree Manslaughter and DUII.

46-year old John Cole Carlgren of Carlton Photo: Umatilla County Sheriff's Office

(PENDLETON, Ore.) - A Carlton-area man is in custody at the Umatilla County Jail on multiple charges following an early Sunday morning crash on Interstate 84 about ten miles east of Pendleton that killed three men and a woman.

Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation with the assistance of the Umatilla County District Attorney's Office and no more information is being released today.

Preliminary investigation indicates that early this morning at approximately 12:19 AM, a 1991 Chevrolet Beretta driven by 29-year old Jesse Cline of Hermiston, was westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 219 when it was struck from behind by a westbound 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup driven by 46-year old John Cole Carlgren of Carlton.

State Police troopers say the preliminary highway area of impact is on the right shoulder. After impact the Chevrolet traveled across the westbound lanes and came to rest on the left shoulder, and the Dodge pickup came to rest on the right shoulder.

Mr. Cline and his three passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene. The passengers are identified as 29-year old Michelle Sawyer of the Lynnwood, Washington area; 24-year old William Johnson of Hermiston; and 31-year old Fred A. Young Jr. of Boardman. Safety restraint use information is not available. Carlgren was transported by Umatilla Tribal Fire & Ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton where he was treated and released for minor injuries. OSP troopers then arrested Carlgren and lodged him in Umatilla County Jail on four counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

OSP troopers from the Pendleton Area Command office are continuing the investigation with the assistance of the Umatilla County District Attorney's Office. Umatilla Tribal Police Department, Pendleton Fire Department and ODOT assisted. One lane was open during most of the night while investigators were at the scene until they cleared about 8:00 AM.

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Greetings, I am the Oldest Brother of William (Nephi) Johnson, Killed in the Crash. All I ask is that Justice is insured in the Charges of Calgren and that a Name Correction be made to this Article. Jesse Cline, and his Family are all Close personal Friends of Mine.

Editor: John, we are sorry for your loss. Thank you for the corrections, they have been made.

The following is a news release from the Umatilla County District Attorney's Office:

The Grand Jury for Umatilla County indicted JOHN COLE CARLGREN, age 46, today for driving under the influence and causing the deaths of four people in a crash on Interstate 84 near milepost 219 on October 19, 2008. The grand jury charged CARLGREN with four counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree, four counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, and one count of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

CARLGREN is scheduled to appear to face the new charges on Monday, October 27, 2008, at 1:15 p.m. before Presiding Judge Garry Reynolds in Umatilla County Circuit Court in Hermiston.

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