October 23, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Brian Gardner is accused of recklessly causing the death of another person after driving impaired against the flow of traffic on Interstate 84.
Gardner is charged with one count of manslaughter in the second degree, two counts of driving under the influence of intoxicants, and one count of reckless driving.
According to court documents, just before 4 a.m. on October 22, 2020, law enforcement responded to a head-on crash that occurred on I-84 eastbound under the ramp to I-205.
Officers learned a Dodge Ram 1500, operated by Gardner, crashed head-on into an eastbound vehicle operated by Devontay Rhodes.
During the investigation, law enforcement overheard Gardner tell one of the paramedics that he snorted cocaine, according to court documents.
Furthermore, hospital staff reported later Gardner’s blood alcohol content of .134%, according to court documents.
Law enforcement obtained video of the crash from a UPS truck’s dashboard camera. The video showed Rhodes’ vehicle driving normally in the left lane shortly before the crash occurred, according to court documents. The driver of the truck reported one of the involved vehicles flipped and that the crash was caused by a wrong way driver.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Gardner is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us