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FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022
Brookings, Oregon
A tragic, deadly Fourth of July in Harbor By DAVID RUPKALVIS The Pilot
The Fourth of July turned tragic when a Brookings man drove a Econo Van over a crowd of people at the Breach Front RV Park in Harbor, leaving one person dead. Sheriff John Ward said the Curry County Sheriff's Office received numerous 9-1-1 calls, starting at 2:23 p.m., reporting the incident where the van ran over a group of people, smashed into several vehicles and plowed into an RV. The callers reported the vehicle and the man driving it were still at the scene and numerous people were injured. Sheriff's deputies, Brookings police officers, Harbor Fire Department and Cal Ore Life Flight ambulance all responded to the scene, with the first officers arriving within minutes. Deputies were able to locate the man driving the vehicle, along with witnesses who reported in appeared the man was passed out behind the wheel. The driver of the van was
identified as 66-year-old Paul Armenta out of Brookings. Three people were hit by the van as it drove into the parking lot. Officers identified the victims as 79-year-old Doris Dianne Bever from Discovery Bay, California, 46-yearold Rebecca Williams from White City and 38-year-old Hiedei Bailey from White City. Both Bailey’s and Williams’s vehicles that were parked next to each other were struck causing major damage to both vehicles. When officers arrived, Bailey’s sister was performing CPR on her while Bailey’s 11-year-old daughter was playing on the beach. Armenta, Bever and Bailey were all transported by ambulance to the Brookings ER where Bailey was pronounced deceased. Armenta and Bever were stabilized, and Bever was expected to be medically released. Williams was transported by ambulance to Sutter Coast Hospital. Ward said the last information the sheriff's office had was she was
being flown out to a higher care hospital at an unknown location. Armenta’s vehicle also destroyed several camping items and picnic tables along with two RVs. One of the RVs had two small children inside and had been moved about 15 feet. The two children were uninjured. Pastors Mike Quesada and Anthony Darling who volunteer with the sheriff’s office arrived and were able to help console family members and friends. Curry County deputies along with an Oregon State Trooper processed the scene and Wes’s Towing arrived and removed three vehicles that were damaged, including Armenta’s van. The Curry County district attorney was notified, and deputies stayed with Armenta at the ER for follow-up investigation. Armenta was then transported to Curry General Hospital for a possible head injury. The Curry County Sheriff’s Office will continue the investigation.
Contributed photos
The Fourth of July turned tragic in Harbor when this Econo Van was driven through a crowd of people at the Beach Front RV Park, killing one and injuring two others. The van also damaged multiple vehicles, two RVs and camping equipment at the RV park.
Brookings celebrates Independence Day in style
Photos by Breeana Laughlin/The Pilot
After two years of COVID restrictions, large crowds came out to celebrate Independence Day as Brookings hosted a day full of activities on America’s birthday. Left, Thousands of spectators oohed and awed as a colorful display of fireworks lit up the night sky over the Port of Brookings harbor. Above, Performer Jessie G said “I'm here for the party!” as she sang for her hometown crowd during the Freedom and Fish Fry-erworks show.
War breaks out in Gold Beach - all for fun By DR. NANCY KELLER Guest Article
Unbeknownst to most people, a war broke out between the Kingdom of the West and the Kingdom of An Tir near Gold Beach. Like most wars, an inane reason was concocted for the war: Whose cake was better. But rather than blood and death, there was sweat, bruises and compliments amidst the clashing of weapons and shouts of war cries. The event was held by the Society for Creative Anachronism, which is an educational nonprofit corporation, international living history group with the aim of studying and recreating Medieval cultures. I infiltrated the war as a mundane. I paid my dues and the former princess of the Principality of the Summits took pity on me and loaned me some garb. The
Lazy J Ranch near Gold Beach was filled with medieval tents. A multitude of colorful flags displaying coats of arms fluttered in the wind. The tents were not the easy-assembly polyester types but were canvas and poles. I was told how anyone arriving would be inundated with volunteers to help erect the complicated tents, even at 1 a.m. People were garbed in medieval period clothing from many nationalities all over the world. Fortunately, thees and thous were not required. Everyone was friendly and loved answering my questions. After a brief walk through the hoards of tents, I made my way to the war field and watched as warriors wandered over with wagons of armor and/or a squire carrying layers of armor and weapons. Please see WAR Page A2
Photo by Dr. Nancy Keller
During a weekend of fun in Gold Beach, members of the Society for Creative Anachronism hosted a variety of events, including battles, cooking and most of all, fun for everyone who attended.
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