Woman involved in crash sues Redmond, officer

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 5, 2016

A woman who was injured in a 2014 car crash involving Redmond Police officers has filed suit against the city of Redmond and one of the officers, court records show.

Ashley Maxey is seeking about $145,000, alleging a car crash involving two Redmond Police vehicles was the result of negligence.

Redmond Police Sgt. Aaron Wells and Redmond Police Officer Jered Kirk were responding to a reported fight on the afternoon of June 16, 2014, when their respective vehicles collided as Kirk attempted to make a U-turn, according to a traffic crash report completed by Oregon State Police, provided to the Bulletin by Maxey’s attorney, Arne Cherkoss.

Wells then collided with Maxey’s vehicle, according to the report. Maxey and Kirk were injured and taken to St. Charles Redmond for treatment.

Kirk was cited for making an illegal U-turn, according to the OSP traffic crash report.

Cherkoss deferred detailed questions to the crash report, citing pending litigation.

Redmond Police Capt. Brian McNaughton said Wednesday he could not discuss the case specifically. Generally, however, when an officer is involved in a car accident while on duty, the department has a procedure for evaluating the incident.

McNaughton said that typically a supervisor will review the accident. If warranted, the department will convene an accident review board. The board, composed of law enforcement officers, examines who may be at fault and what could have been done to avoid the accident.

Depending on the findings, the board may recommend actions that can include policy changes, discipline or remedial training, McNaughton said.

—Reporter: 541-383-0376,

cwithycombe@bendbulletin.com