August 15, 2022
Elisabeth.Shepard@nullmcda.us
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
DA Mike Schmidt announces arraignment of suspect in Gresham vehicular murder
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Donald Bighaus, 52, was arraigned on three charges including Murder in the Second Degree, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver to Injured Persons, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Bighaus pled not guilty to all three.
The charges stem from an incident on August 3rd, 2022 at Rosemary Anderson High School located on 182nd Avenue in Gresham. The State alleges that Bighaus and the victim encountered one another at the school and that video surveillance captured the two men in a physical fight. The video revealed that after the fight, Bighaus entered a vehicle and the victim began riding a bicycle away from Bighaus and the vehicle. Bighaus then reversed his vehicle at a high rate of speed as the victim pedaled away. Bighaus drove in reverse to catch up to the victim, and upon closing the distance, swerved to strike the victim and crush him between the vehicle and the building. Bighaus continued in reverse for another ten to 15 feet, dragging the victim’s body. He then stopped the vehicle and shifted from reverse to drive, and drove over the victim’s body. Gresham police used the high-quality surveillance video to obtain the license plate of the vehicle and identify the suspect and locate his address to search his property and effectuate an arrest in a little over 24 hours.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Bighaus is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#