EUGENE – The family of 13-year-old Easton Bounds, who was killed more than a year ago in a crash on River Road, is asking for the public’s help after authorities never charged the driver responsible for hitting him.
Steve Bounds shared this week that his family feels frustrated with the Eugene Police Department and the district attorney’s office. Jeramias Martinez was allegedly speeding and driving with a suspended license when his SUV collided with a Toyota Corolla carrying Bounds in the backseat, leading to his death.
Bounds said he has not received clear answers from police about why Martinez has not faced charges. He is now looking for an attorney to help file a lawsuit against both agencies.
Lane County District Attorney Chris Parosa said Wednesday that his office was never asked by the Eugene Police Department to review charges against Martinez. Instead, they were asked to consider charges against another individual — the driver of the Corolla, Ashton Dawson.
According to a police report, Dawson ran a stop sign and also had marijuana in her car. She and three others were injured in the crash.
Parosa explained that while his office did review potential charges against Dawson, they ultimately did not file any because both drivers shared some level of fault.
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