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Drunk driver crashes van into house in Washington County

Most residents of Portland and Vancouver expect to be safe and secure in their homes at 1:30 a.m. A resident of the Cedar Hills area had his expectations dashed when police knocked on this door at 1:30 a.m. and told him that an SUV with a drunk driver behind the wheel had smashed into his house.

Officers responded to a call and found a Honda Odyssey with its rear end resting against a corner of the house. According to police estimates, the driver of the van was traveling about 70 mph as he tried to negotiate a sharp curve. The driver lost control of the van, and it hit a tree. After hitting the tree, the van spun around and came to rest leaning against a wall of the house. In addition to the driver, the van was carrying two males. Both passengers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of their injuries, none of which appeared to be life-threatening. The driver, a 21-year-old male from California, was charged with drunk driving, assault, and criminal mischief.

The owner of the house told police that this accident was the third such incident that has happened since he began living in the house in 1953. He told police that he hopes that this will be the last accident in the curve.

The seriousness of the injuries suffered by the passengers was not disclosed in initial reports of the accident. Nevertheless, the charges against the driver are serious. If convicted, he could face imprisonment, loss of driving privileges and a hefty fine. Anyone who finds themselves facing similar charges may wish to seek the assistance of a capable criminal defense attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can evaluate the facts and law that will govern the case and provide an estimate of the likelihood of obtaining an acquittal or a favorable plea agreement.

Source: Fox 12, "Cedar Hills resident OK after suspected drunk driver crashes into his house," Dec. 28, 2017