Ava Crews dies in fatal Scappoose car crash
Fatal Scappoose car crash death of Ava Crews
A 17-year-old girl, identified as Ava Crews, has passed away following a severe accident in Scappoose. The incident occurred on May 18 on a property located on Northwest Gillihan Road, which is part of Sauvie Island. The crash involved a four-wheeler utility task vehicle, commonly referred to as a UTV, and resulted in her untimely demise.
The 18-year-old driver, named Ayden Heard, is currently facing legal charges including second-degree manslaughter, driving under the influence of intoxicants, and reckless driving. In court, he has entered a plea of “not guilty” to these allegations.
Community members in Scappoose have launched a formal petition demanding that the property owners, Branda Jurasek and Matthew Dierdorff, be held legally responsible for their alleged negligence. The petition, addressed to both the Multnomah County District Attorney and the Scappoose School Board, calls for criminal charges to be pursued against Jurasek and Dierdorff. It highlights their failure to ensure that minors are not operating such dangerous vehicles on their property, especially when under the influence.
One individual involved in the petition is Jenni Gilbert, who resides in St. Helens. She expressed strong disapproval of Jurasek’s actions, stating, “It’s unacceptable what she did, and she needs to be accountable. She should have resigned immediately out of respect for the family and the entire community. These are children she allowed to use the property, and it led to a tragic loss of life.”
The Scappoose School Board has responded cautiously, with Chair Phil Lager issuing a statement. He noted, “The entire board is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students, and this event has profoundly affected everyone in our community. We have been advised not to comment on unverified rumors or speculation.”
In an official statement, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office indicated that the investigation is ongoing. They emphasized, “This case remains under active review, and we are examining all available evidence. We encourage anyone with additional information to come forward promptly to assist our investigation.”
A representative for the Crews family, Bracken McKey, confirmed that they are choosing not to provide further comments at this time regarding the letter or the petition.
