18-year-old driver charged with manslaughter, drunken driving in Estacada crash that killed 3 teens

The 18-year-old driver in a crash Monday that killed three teenagers and injured two others was charged with manslaughter and driving under the influence of intoxicants, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday morning.

Devin Michael Kurtz, who sustained a punctured lung, was released from the hospital Tuesday and booked into the Clackamas County Jail, the sheriff’s office said. He’s charged with three counts of second-degree manslaughter, driving while under the influence of intoxicants, reckless endangering, reckless driving, third-degree assault and second-degree criminal mischief.

Sheriff’s office deputies responded to the two-vehicle crash about 9 p.m. on Memorial Day at South Springwater Road and Redland Road near Milo McIver State Park.

A witness told deputies the black sedan, which officials said Kurtz was driving, was traveling on Springwater when the driver appeared to lose control and went into an uncontrolled spin. The sedan crossed the center line and collided with a white Ford F-350 pickup approaching in the opposite lane.

The sedan had five occupants, ages 14 to 18. Two died at the scene. A third passenger was flown to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. The sheriff’s office did not disclose the ages of those who were killed.

A fourth occupant, age 17, is being treated at a hospital with unknown injuries.

A 27-year-old man who has not been identified was driving the pickup and did not require medical attention.

The investigation continues, and the names of the juvenile victims will not be released at this time, officials said.

An email from Estacada Middle School confirmed that a middle student was one of those killed in the accident.

“The Estacada School District stands ready to help the Estacada community as we grieve together. We send our condolences and love to grieving families and our community this morning,” the email said.