Teen arrested, accused of driving into crowd, killing 1 in Oregon

ASTORIA, Ore. — A teenager drove through a crowd in a rural area northwest of Portland, killing one person and seriously injuring three others early Saturday, authorities said.

Deputies responded to a hit-and-run crash at the Hunt Creek Rock Pit near Highway 30, at around 4 a.m. Saturday, according to Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Matt Armstrong.

A group of people were gathered at the rock pit when a boy drove his vehicle through a crowd there before driving away from the area, Armstrong said.

Robert Betschart, of Rainier, Ore., died from his injuries, according to Armstrong.

The juvenile teen was arrested on murder, felony vehicular assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants and other charges and is being held at the Cowlitz County Detention Facility.

Investigators believe the gathering started in the evening hours Friday and lasted into the early morning hours Saturday. They are asking with information about the incident to call the sheriff’s office.