Paragraph 8 reads: " Schwartz said he suspected drugs were involved from the beginning, as he said tests show he wasn’t drinking alcohol."

Paragraph 9 reads: "Ambien is a sleep medication used to treat insomnia; Prozac is an anti-depressant; Demerol is a pain reliever. All three medications list that their interaction of other medicines could cause side effects, according to Webmd.com."

Paragraph 11 reads: "“You just don’t know when something like this is going to occur,” he said. “The thing that should concern people is that there are people like this out on the road that are under the influence of drugs."

http://www.westlinntidings.com/news/story.php?story_id=118679227716253500

Dentist charged in accident admitted using prescription medication

By Nicole Decosta And Dan Itel

The West Linn Tidings, Aug 10, 2007, Updated 12.1 hours ago

Thomas Haymore told police, after he crashed his van into a West Linn family Monday night, that he was using a combination of Ambien, Prozac and Demeral, confirmed Bryan Brock, deputy district attorney in Clackamas County.

The collision at the top of Salamo Road was a three-part horror to witnesses. West Linn resident Haymore, 35, drove in reverse through the Starbuck’s parking lot, hit a van and tree before continuing backwards on the sidewalk and striking John and Tracy Herbert and their 4-year-old son John Gunner.

John Herbert received the brunt of the collision and was lifeflighted to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center in Portland. His injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening, West Linn Police Lt. Ron Schwartz said, and as of Friday afternoon he was in serious condition. Tracy Herbert and John Gunner were treated at the hospital for minor injuries and are now home, said friends of the family.

Schwartz said the collision drew much attention because of the loud noises from the van driven by the West Linn resident.

“Witnesses said there was a loud squealing of tires, a roar of an engine and that thing just rocketed,” Schwartz said Tuesday. “As I understand it, (the Herberts) tried to get out of the way. They heard the noise. The father grabbing the boy probably saved the boys life.”

Haymore was arraigned Tuesday afternoon and charged with two counts of third-degree assault, one count of forth-degree assault and one count of driving under the influence of intoxicants; he is out on $50,000 bail, confirmed Brock.

Haymore a Portland-area anesthesiologist and licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry was unable to be reached for comment on Friday. Neighbors said the family hasn’t been back to their Sunset neighborhood home in the days since the accident.

Schwartz said he suspected drugs were involved from the beginning, as he said tests show he wasn’t drinking alcohol.

Ambien is a sleep medication used to treat insomnia; Prozac is an anti-depressant; Demerol is a pain reliever. All three medications list that their interaction of other medicines could cause side effects, according to Webmd.com.

Schwartz said that this type of event would be unexpected anywhere.

“You just don’t know when something like this is going to occur,” he said. “The thing that should concern people is that there are people like this out on the road that are under the influence of drugs.

You think you’re in West Linn safe, enjoying a nice summer evening and in a matter of seconds you get a guy that comes out of nowhere and runs over a family.”

Close-by neighbor Diane Elsey arrived at the scene Monday and noticed a Radio Flyer red wagon sitting just past the van and thought of the family, and their little boy already gone at that time.

“It represented something that was so innocent,” Elsey said. “It’s an icon of something that’s fun and enjoyable. To have it sitting there (and knowing that) family members had been airlifted was extreme sadness.”

Close friends of the family are setting up ways to help the Herbert family through donations at a local bank. A preliminary hearing is rescheduled for Sept. 5 at 3 p.m.

Visit www.westlinntidings.com for continued coverage through the weekend.

Tim Hohl, a reporter for AM 860 KPAM, contributed to this report.