Last month a drunk driver placed families in extreme danger. One Oregon City resident described the ordeal as ‘terror’ with people running as fast as they could from the drunk driver. It took place at the Southridge Shopping Center when a drunk driver jumped a curb. The vehicle went through the parking lot and rammed 12 cars. The incident happened on cinco de mayo (May 5th).
John Dale Coady, a 66 year old man was formally charged this month by the Clackamas County DA’s Office. Coady was charged with 15 crimes related to the incident. The felonies are based on OCPD’s investigation. Charges includes reckless driving, reckless endangering and driving under the influence of intoxicants. The Oregon City Police said that it was all captured in a video that soon went viral on the internet.
The suspect was also injured during the melee. He was treated at a nearby hospital for his injuries and released. Some residents who know Coady said he is from the Beavercreek area near Oregon City. It seems that he is retired after his construction license expired. He has an attorney and has refused to talk to the media.
The drunk driver is reported to have two previous convictions for drunk driving. Still, he was allowed to keep his driver’s license. Prosecutors are seeking a felony conviction against Coady due to his conviction history. One resident who was at the shopping center when Coady caused the danger said state law should be changed to immediately revoke people’s licenses after drunk-driving convictions.
Coady is scheduled to be arraigned on July 6. He will face the charges related to his alleged reckless imperiling of life and destruction of other people’s vehicles. Complaints have been made to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to investigate whether Coady was drunk from being served at nearby restaurants or purchasing alcohol at the nearby liquor store.
