Redmond driver arrested; stepdaughter,7, dies in accident

Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 28, 2014

A Redmond man was arrested Friday evening following a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 97 that killed his 7-year-old stepdaughter and injured four others.

Phoenix Marie Price, of Redmond, was pronounced dead at the crash scene about five miles north of Bend.

According to Oregon State Police, driver William Wayne Fix, 32, was treated for injuries at St. Charles Bend then booked into the Deschutes County jail on charges of first-degree manslaughter, three counts of second-degree assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants — alcohol, reckless driving and five counts of recklessly endangering another person.

Fix was driving northbound at around 7:17 p.m. in a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban when he lost control, state police said.

The vehicle left the highway, struck a rock embankment and rolled over, coming to rest on its side. Two Redmond girls, 14-year-old Naomi Spansel and 10-year-old Olivia Jeanes, were critically injured in the crash.

Both were taken to St. Charles Bend and subsequently transferred to Portland, with Spansel taken to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center’s Randall Children’s Hospital and Jeanes to Oregon Health & Science University Hospital.

Valon Fix, 14, of Redmond, was taken to St. Charles Redmond with serious injuries, while Izzabella Robbins, 7, of Redmond, was taken to St. Charles Redmond for treatment of minor injuries.

The highway was closed after the crash and then one lane reopened after about 90 minutes. Police have not confirmed whether all occupants of the vehicle were wearing safety restraints.

An investigation into the crash is continuing.

Fix is being held at the Deschutes County Jail on $122,500 bail, and is due to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

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