CORVALLIS, Ore. (Feb. 15, 2026) — A Benton County Grand Jury has indicted a 17-year-old girl for first-degree manslaughter in connection with a fatal motor vehicle crash that killed a 20-year-old Oregon State University student and seriously injured another student.
The crash occurred on the evening of Oct. 17, 2025, on NW Harrison Boulevard. The two victims were crossing the street in a crosswalk when the defendant allegedly drove through at a high rate of speed, striking them. Another vehicle had stopped to allow the students to cross.
The defendant appeared for arraignment by video from the Linn-Benton Juvenile Detention Center. She has been charged in adult court under a standing order that waives motor vehicle-related cases into adult court. She was conditionally released with a restriction barring her from driving unless supervised by a family member at least 21 years old.
The case is under investigation by the Corvallis Police Department, with assistance from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police. Benton County Deputy District Attorney Steaphan Clement is prosecuting.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their family members. The Benton County District Attorney’s Office is committed to upholding the rights of crime victims throughout the criminal justice process. Additionally, we encourage all who are traveling through areas populated by students and other pedestrians to exercise appropriate caution to avoid tragedies such as this in the future,” Clement said.
The indictment does not imply guilt, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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