OSP TROOPERS ARREST 3 PEOPLE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC CRASH, ASSAULT ON GOOD SAMARITANS NORTH OF FLORENCE (PHOTOS)
Posted: June 6th, 2011 5:05 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-06/1002/45162/060511.hwy101mp185.JPG
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-06/1002/45162/060511.hwy101mp185.2.JPG
Three people are facing several charges following a traffic crash about two miles north of Florence during which two of the 3 suspects allegedly assaulted several Good Samaritans who stopped to help. One of the suspects also kicked out the back window of an Oregon State Police (OSP) patrol car after he was arrested.
According to Lieutenant Rob Edwards, on June 5, 2011 at 5:45 p.m. OSP troopers responded to several reports regarding a reckless driver northbound on Highway 101 in the Florence area. One of the reports also indicated the blue Dodge pickup backed into a house causing damage before leaving northbound.
As troopers were responding to find the reckless vehicle, another report came in that a matching vehicle crashed on Highway 101 near milepost 185. This call also reported the vehicle occupants were fighting with people who stopped to help them.
As troopers began arriving at the crash scene, they witnessed one suspect identified as THOMAS JAMES STANSBURY, age 22, from Vidor, Texas punching the people who were trying to help him. STANSBURY, who was the pickup's driver, had attempted to leave the crash scene but was prevented by the people he was assaulting and was quickly arrested by troopers. After being handcuffed and placed in the back seat of an OSP patrol car, STANSBURY kicked out the back window damaging it and the car's window framing.
Two female passengers in the pickup were also arrested related to this incident. AMBER BISTERFELT, age 26, from Veneta, was arrested on four counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree after she allegedly also assaulted the people who stopped to help. BRITANI K. BERTRAND, age 27, from Texas, was arrested for Endangering the Welfare of a Minor. BERTRAND's nine-year old son was a passenger in the pickup and he was later turned over into the protective custody of Department of Human Services' representatives.
Witnesses reported all 3 pickup occupants were intoxicated.
BISTERFELD and BERTRAND were lodged over night at the Florence Justice Center and later released.
STANSBURY was taken to the Lane County Jail and lodged on the following charges:
* DUII
* Reckless Driving
* Recklessly Endangering Another Person (3 counts)
* Assault in the Fourth Degree (3 counts)
* Criminal Mischief in the First Degree
Photograph Source: Oregon State Police
Note no jail photograph available for this release.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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