A man has been slapped with a 10-count indictment over a car crash that killed a 24-year-old on Christmas Day, authorities said.
The deadly pile-up, which threw the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood into mourning, occurred near Southeast 122nd Avenue and Southeast Powell Boulevard, just as festivities were peaking at 5 p.m. Initial confusion led police to believe the fatality victim, Conner Wells, was behind the wheel, whereas it was actually 26-year-old Martell Mason driving, the Portland Police reported.
On Friday, January 26, 2024, a Multnomah County Grand Jury charged Mason with a bevy of charges including Manslaughter in both the first and second degree, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver, Reckless Driving, two counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree, and four counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
After a months-long investigation, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force nabbed Mason on March 27, 2024, ceremoniously curtailing his run from the law. The suspect now languishes in the Multnomah County Detention Center, awaiting justice for the traffic turmoil he is accused of igniting, per the announcement from police.
The police, clearly not closing the book on this case just yet, are appealing to the public for more information. Witnesses or those with knowledge pertaining to the crash are urged to send tips to the Traffic Investigations Unit by emailing [email protected], with a reference to case number 23-331614, the police said.
