Camas man arraigned in fatal Portland crash

UPDATE: Mr. Rugg pleaded no contest May 11, 2017, to criminally negligent homicide in Multnomah County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to five years of probation, and his license was suspended for life.

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A Camas man accused of striking and killing a Vancouver man with his pickup while he crossed a Portland road Friday night said he didn’t see the pedestrian or the flashing crosswalk lights. He also admitted to smoking marijuana daily, court records state.

The driver, 37-year-old William Rugg, was arraigned Monday afternoon in Multnomah County Circuit Court on a charge of criminally negligent homicide. Rugg posted bail Saturday and was released from the Multnomah County Jail, booking records show.

He will have a preliminary court hearing Dec. 9.

The crash occurred at about 5:40 p.m. when Tony Joy, 75, was crossing Southeast Stark Street at a marked and signaled crosswalk near Southeast 160th Avenue. Joy was crossing the eastbound lanes from an island in the middle of the roadway when he was struck by a Ford F-150 pickup driven by Rugg. The impact threw Joy about 40 feet, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

Joy was transported by ambulance to a Portland hospital but did not survive his injuries, according to a Portland Police Bureau bulletin.

Investigators said there are several signs indicating where motorists are to stop when a pedestrian is crossing the road. And, there are amber beacons that flash for about 30 seconds when activated, as well as nearby streetlights and light from surrounding businesses, the affidavit states. Joy was wearing a light-colored jacket, court records said.

Video of the crash, captured by a nearby business, showed the crosswalk lights were activated and working when Joy was struck and that Rugg did not attempt to brake before hitting him, according to court documents.

Rugg remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said.

He told police that he was driving about 30 mph when a man appeared right in front of him. Rugg never saw Joy or the crosswalk lights, he said, until it was too late. He said Joy “popped out” in front of him and turned to face him, the affidavit states.

Rugg allegedly told investigators that he smokes marijuana daily and last smoked the day prior, court records said.

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