Accused drunk driver fled crash that killed teens, Oregon officials say. He’s sentenced
A 19-year-old man is going to prison after being sentenced in connection with a deadly car wreck that killed two teenage passengers in Oregon, prosecutors said.
Julius Lee Whitehurst was ordered to serve 20 years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, driving under the influence and unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said in a Feb. 7 news release.
The weapons charge was related to a separate incident, prosecutors said.
“I don’t feel like it’s justice. But it is a relief at the end of the day,” said Keyshia Smith, whose 13-year-old child, Kamareon Smith, was one of those killed in the July 2023 wreck, according to The Oregonian.
McClatchy News reached out to Whitehurst’s attorney Feb. 12 and was awaiting a response.
Whitehurst was driving a group of teens in Portland on July 5, 2023, when he ran through a red light and struck another vehicle, prosecutors said. Whitehurst’s SUV flipped and several passengers were thrown from the vehicle, prosecutor said.
None of the teen passengers were buckled up, according to prosecutors.
“The driver of the other car, as well as injured occupants of Whitehurst’s vehicle were transported to the hospital for treatment,” prosecutors said.
But Kamareon Smith died at the scene, along with 15-year-old Onesty Jones, according to prosecutors.
In an online obituary, Onesty was described as “a bright and creative young lady” who “inspired all those that she touched” and dreamed of attending Spelman College.
Whitehurst left before police got to the scene, although he sought medical treatment and tested positive for cannabis and had a blood alcohol level of 0.26, prosecutors said. His license had been suspended at the time of the wreck, according to prosecutors.
In the news release, the district attorney’s office said “we recognize the impact of this tragic incident on the families of the victims, many of whom were present” at the sentencing and other hearings.
This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 12:46 PM with the headline "Accused drunk driver fled crash that killed teens, Oregon officials say. He’s sentenced."
.JPG)