Tyler William Fetterhoff, age 35, was sentenced today after pleading guilty to Assault in the Second Degree and felony Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (Hit and Run) for grievously injuring a pedestrian in front of St. Vincent’s Hospital and immediately fleeing the scene. Senior Deputy District Attorney Andrew Freeman and Deputy District Attorney Christina Luedtke prosecuted the case and presented argument today before Judge Eric Butterfield. The defendant, who was previously convicted of Aggravated Assault and DUII for causing another serious crash in 2011, faced a mandatory sentence of 70 months under Measure 11. At the conclusion of today’s hearing Judge Butterfield imposed an additional 20 months, for a total sentence of 90 months in the Department of Corrections without eligibility for time reduction programs.
At about 7:15pm on July 7, 2022, the defendant was driving east on Barnes Rd in front of St. Vincent’s Hospital when he ran a red light while speeding ahead of another vehicle. At the same time the victim, who was there supporting a loved one in the hospital, was walking across the intersection with the light. The defendant’s vehicle struck victim without slowing down, flinging her into the air and scattering her belongings across the road. The defendant continued to speed away, leaving the victim writhing on the ground as horrified onlookers and medical personnel rushed to render aid. The defendant then drove to the home of an acquaintance, where he left his damaged car and took a ride-share home to northwest Portland.
Investigators initially identified the defendant’s vehicle via a dash camera video shared by one of the witnesses. The next day the defendant’s acquaintance reported the vehicle to dispatch after seeing media reports of the nearby hit-and-run crash. Investigators continued to build the case with phone records, DNA analysis, and witness statements that confirmed the defendant’s involvement. Ultimately, despite the defendant’s efforts to conceal his vehicle and his identity, the evidence proved beyond any doubt that he is the one who struck and injured the victim.
The severity of the victim’s injuries required the amputation of her lower right leg, among other serious and permanent harm. On June 7 the victim appeared in court wearing a prosthetic leg and described the impact the defendant’s conduct has had on her and her family.
