Four killed after car crashes into homeless encampment in Salem, Oregon

[Jilly_in_VA]

A driver crashed a car into a homeless encampment in Salem, Oregon, early on Sunday morning, killing four people and injuring three including the driver, authorities said.

Police arrested Enrique Rodriguez Jr, 24, on Sunday evening. He was charged with four counts of first-degree manslaughter, second- and third-degree assault and six counts of reckless endangerment.

In a statement, authorities said Salem police believe “alcohol may have been a contributing factor”. It was not immediately clear if Rodriguez had an attorney.

A witness, Nathan Rose, told the Salem Statesman Journal he and his girlfriend were in their tent when they heard two loud thuds. The car just missed their tent, Rose said.

Rose said he saw friends pinned under the car and called 911. He said he helped pull one person from under the car but witnesses were unable to help the others.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/mar/28/four-killed-car-crashes-homeless-encampment-alem-oregon

[Me.]

1. Was It Deliberate?

[Jilly_in_VA]

2. I wondered the same thing

There have been so many attacks on unhoused people recently. Hard telling though. I guess we'll find out when the toxicology report comes in.