Local experts provide the latest information on Healthcare issues that matter to you
|
Fresh Ideas with Leigh Ann:
Recipes & Quick Tips |
Police: Woman drives through blocked parade route, nearly hits people
06:49 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 6, 2007
An elderly woman was arrested Wednesday after driving through the blocked Junior Rose Festival Parade route and nearly hitting parade-goers a half hour before the event was to begin, police said.
About 12:30 p.m., 81-year-old Janet Gasser drove a Honda eastbound through the barricade at Northeast 42nd Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau.
"An officer at the barricade tried to stop Gasser and had to dive out of the way to avoid being hit by her car. Hoping to stop her, the officer hit the windshield of Gasser's car with his baton as she went by. Gasser continued... along the parade route ...As she did so, she narrowly missed several families, children and an ice cream salesperson walking on the closed roadway," Schmautz said.
Officers were finally able to stop the car at Northeast 52nd Avenue. She had been driving about 30 miles per hour.
"Gasser was extremely angry and stated that she was upset the road was closed for the parade," Schmautz said.
Police photo
Janet Gasser
She was charged with one count of Reckless Driving and one count of Reckless Endangering.
Gasser's car, a 4-door sedan, appeared to be damaged, with a broken windshield the most visible mark. Police believe she may have been involved in an unreported hit-and-run just prior to running through the barricade. Officers were looking for a vehicle that may have been hit by her car.
The Junior Rose Festival Parade began after 1 p.m., with thousands of children marching through the Hollywood District.
More Headlines...
Most Viewed Stories
Below is a list of the most popular stories read by our subscribers this week.
Sex offender caught in act raping Salem woman, police say
Tualatin teens accused in theft ring
Man jailed for calling 9-1-1 over McDonald's burger order
Popular Stories








You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!
You are logged in as screenname | Log Out
You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Create a Screen Name