From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: Mar 6, 2009

Summary:

On March 5, 2009, Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputies and Toledo Police Officers responded to a fatal traffic crash involving a four-wheel ATV near the 300 Block of Schlect Road west of Toledo, Oregon. The ATV, occupied by 25 year old Nicholas James Estrada and 20 year old Emily Mae Smith, both of Lebanon, was determined to have left the roadway traveling down an embankment before coming to rest approximately 35 feet from the road surface. Estrada and Smith were both ejected from the ATV. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Estrada was transported to the Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Members of the Lincoln County Major Crash Team responded to the scene to investigate the crash. Investigation revealed Estrada was the operator of the ATV at the time of the incident. Officers detected signs of impairment while speaking with Estrada. A blood draw was obtained from Estrada at the hospital which disclosed his blood alcohol concentration at .l9%. Estrada was admitted into the hospital over night for observation.

On March 6, 2009, upon being released from the hospital, Estrada was arrested and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on one count each of Manslaughter I, Manslaughter II, Criminally Negligent Homicide and Driving under the influence of intoxicants. His bail was set at $565,000.00.

In addition to the Toledo Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was assisted by members of the Oregon State Police, Lincoln City Police Department, and Newport Police Department.

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