The Oregon City Police Department conducted a pedestrian safety enforcement operation this morning from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the intersection of Molalla Ave. and Pearl St. This location was picked because of two recent crashes where pedestrians were hit while crossing Molalla Ave. in the crosswalk. On April 17, 2019, Josefina Rojas-Bernandino was hit and killed by a motorist while she was crossing Molalla Ave. Most recently, on May 31st, a 13-year-old was hit by a driver who was on her cell phone. Luckily, the 13-year-old survived and was not seriously injured.
During the operation, officers made 14 traffic stops, which resulted 20 citations, 1 warning, and one arrest. Nine (9) motorists were cited for operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device, three (3) motorists were cited and one (1) was given a written warning for failure to obey a traffic control device, and two (2) motorists were cited for failure to stop or remain stopped for a pedestrian. Five (5) other citations were issued. One driver that was stopped for operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device should not have been driving at all because his driver’s license was misdemeanor suspended. He was also found in possession of methamphetamine and charged with possession of a controlled substance along with a parole violation.
Although the operation resulted in 14 drivers being stopped, the majority of drivers we saw this morning were driving safely and attentive. The Oregon City Police Department would like to remind everyone to be aware of your surroundings when operating a motor vehicle and emphasize how dangerous driving and using a your cell phone is. When you use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, you put everyone around you at risk, including yourself. No text or message is worth it, WAIT! We will be conducting more pedestrian safety operations throughout the year in various locations. https://www.facebook.com/793302930708197/posts/2362106470494494?s=100001127102428&sfns=mo
