On 12/10/2022 at about 7:00pm, Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies received a request from the Oakridge Police Department for assistance investigating a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash that occurred during a parade inside that city. Deputies investigated and learned that a 9-year-old child, while handing out candy during the parade, was struck by a vehicle near the intersection of S. Diamond St. and W. 1st St. in Oakridge. Witnesses explained that the driver of the involved vehicle, while attempting to drive around the parade at a fast speed, disregarded both police and fire emergency lights before striking the child with his vehicle. The child was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The driver was identified as 69-year-old Michael Edward Boardrow of Oakridge. Boardrow was taken into custody and lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges including Reckless Endangering, Reckless Driving, and Assault in the 2nd Degree.
