Sunday, June 03, 2012

Arrest Made In Fatal Crash


Brad Johnston - Astoria Police Department
On June 2, 2012 at about 4:00 PM David Shane Gutman, age 31 turned himself in at the Astoria Police Department. Astoria Police had identified him as the driver in the fatal traffic crash the night before and had been searching for him since shortly after the crash. Gutman has been lodged at the Clatsop County Jail on the following charges:

Manslaughter 1
Recklessly Endangering
Reckless Driving
Assault 1
Assault 2
DUII
Hit & Run (felony)
Hit & Run (misd)
Manslaughter 1 is a measure 11 crime with a minimum sentence of 120 months.

The person of interest located in the early morning hours at the Triangle Tavern was a second passenger in the vehicle. He has not been charged with any crimes. He sustained minor injuries in the crash. Gutman does not report any injuries as a result of the crash. The booking photo in this release is a previous booking photo of Gutman from Astoria Police Records. A full size version is available here.

Astoria police are still interested in any witnesses that may have seen Gutman or Carpenter on the night of June 1, 20012. Anyone with information is asked to contact Astoria Police Department at (503) 325-4411. Information can also be sent to arandall@astoria.or.us, submitted as a tip on www.astoriadispatch.com or sent via text to 84469 using the phrase "tip@ast911"

Additional Media inquiries can be routed to bjohnston@astoria.or.us. No further releaes are anticipated.



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Previous Release Begins Here

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Astoria Police have identified the victim in the June 2, 2012 crash on Hwy 30 in Astoria. The deceased is James Carpenter, age 29 of Hammond. He was a passenger in the vehicle. Astoria Police have determined that the vehicle struck a telephone pole in the area and that prior to the crash the vehicles passenger door was opening and closing. There is no indication that safety restraints were used.

Astoria Police are seeking witnesses to the fatal crash which occured on Saturday morning just after midnight June 2, 2012. Any one who saw a blue and black 1991 2 door Mazda Navajo SUV leaving the Merrytime Tavern or may have witnessed the crash are asked to contact the Astoria Police Department at 503.325.4411.


On 6/2/12 at 0010 Astoria Police and Fire responded to the area of Hume and West Marine Drive (Hwy 30) to a report of a crash that involved a pedestrian. When responders arrived they found witnesses to the crash and a male subject in the lane of travel who was being given first aid by a nurse who had witnessed the crash. Astoria Fire personnel gave first aid and CPR but were unable to resuscitate him. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim has been identified but no notifications have been made.
Astoria Police located the vehicle involved in the crash abandoned about a block from the scene in a parking lot. They also located a person of interest at a tavern nearby.

Astoria Police continue to investigate at the scene. They are assisted by Crash Reconstructionists from OSP, a Medicolegal Investigator and the Chief Deputy District Attorney from the Clatsop County District Attorney's office. ODOT is assisting with traffic control.

Hwy 30 is open with a detour around the crash scene.


No additional information is expected to be released until next of kin notifications have been made.

Media looking for full size photos can locate them here

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD