Last night, around 9:50 p.m., first responders were called to the 17000 block of Fern Ridge Rd, just outside of Stayton. Upon arrival, they found a single-vehicle crash with extensive damage. Tragically, one passenger, a 16-year-old juvenile, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three other juvenile passengers, aged 16, 14, and 12, were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.
The driver, 33-year-old Christopher Atkinson of Salem, was arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Endangering (x4), Assault in the Second Degree, and Assault in the Fourth Degree (x2). Mr. Atkinson is scheduled for arraignment today, March 24th, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at the Marion County Court Annex.
We offer our deepest condolences and thoughts to the families affected by this tragic crash.
We would also like to extend our gratitude to Santiam Ambulance, Stayton Fire Department, Sublimity Fire Department, Marion County Crash Team, Lyons Fire Department, and Marion County Public Works for their assistance in this case.
