Brent Warstler indicted by grand jury
A Gresham woman is dead. A Fairview woman soon will start learning to walk again. And a Cornelius man, accused of striking both women while driving drunk last month, pleaded not guilty in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Jan. 29.
A grand jury indicted Brent Warstler, 42, on 19 charges, which include second-degree manslaughter, third-degree assault, reckless driving and a misdemeanor for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Warstler also was charged with eight counts of recklessly endangering another person, six counts of fourth-degree assault and one count of second-degree criminal mischief.
Warstler allegedly ran a red light in Portlands Old Town area around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. His 2012 Dodge Ram pickup collided with a taxi and veered onto the sidewalk, striking Rebecca Bray, 20, and Brandi Butner, 21.
The two women were downtown celebrating Butners 21st birthday and waiting for a
designated driver when the
collision occurred.
Bray, of Gresham, died at the scene, while Butner, of Fairview, was transported to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
Warstler, whose blood-alcohol level was more than double the legal limit, police said, was transported to a hospital for minor injuries, along with three of his passengers. He was later booked into Multnomah County Jail.
On Thursday, Jan. 31, Butner was transferred from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility where shell begin learning how to walk, according to her Facebook page.
Theres so many challenges that Im about to face but Im ready for them! Butner wrote.