Oakridge's annual holiday parade marred by driver hitting 9-year-old participant

KLCC | By Brian Bull

Published December 14, 2022 at 4:12 PM PST

An Oakridge man is facing charges after hitting a child with his car, while trying to drive around a holiday parade.

According to the Lane County Sheriff's Office, witnesses saw 69-year-old Michael Edward Boardrow speed around the annual ‘Parade of Lights’ on Saturday night, disregarding police and fire emergency lights. The child – a 9-year-old handing out candy canes at the event – was struck and taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Boardrow is now lodged at the Lane County Jail, and faces charges of reckless endangering, reckless driving, and assault in the second degree.

Crime, Law & Justice

Brian Bull

Brian Bull joined the KLCC News Team in June 2016. In his 25+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (19 regional), the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.

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