A hit and run on campus resulted in two arrests and major damage sustained to the Campus Center.
At approximately 2:10 a.m. on Thursday Jan. 24 at Central Oregon Community College, a red Mitsubishi Eclipse was traveling northbound on College Way when it veered onto the wrong side of the road, striking a parked motor-home. The vehicle then jumped the curb and ran into the east side entrance of the Campus Center, according to Jim Bennett, COCC Public Safety Officer.
Anna Quesenberry
The Broadside
“Our officer got there within minutes and the suspect had already left,” Bennett said. “No initial injuries were reported.”
There was moderate to major damage to the motor-home as well as the building, Bennett explained.
Witnesses were able to provide vehicle information, Bennett said, and the vehicle was located at Regency Apartments on College Way. Public safety then handed the case off to the Bend Police Department.
Bend Police arrested Todd Marshall and Velma Reyes on the scene according to Bend Police Records Division. Marshall was charged with hit and run, criminal mischief, recklessly endangering, reckless driving and a probation violation. Reyes was charged with hindering prosecution and interfering with a police officer.
The Campus Center doors will be repaired, according to Bennett.
“Fortunately there are still operable doors there, so people can still come and go.”
Campers on campus involved in collision
A motor-home that was damaged in the collision on Jan. 24 was parked outside the Campus Center illegally, according to Bennett.
COCC student Steve Walker was sleeping in the RV when he awoke to what felt like “the biggest earthquake in history.”
“You had to be going pretty fast to make the motor-home shake like that,” Walker said. “I saw a car in the school and then it started backing up and took off.”
Walker is a first year COCC student studying general education. He and his roommate Weston Harrel have been living in their motor-home since they started school at COCC winter term. They reside on College Way Monday through Thursday and dwell at a friend’s house on weekends.
“I love it,” Walker said. “I’m in exercise class, so I hit the gym and the showers everyday.”
It is against city code and COCC policy to reside in a vehicle on campus, according to Bennett. After ten p.m. the campus is closed.
COCC is not equipped to have people parking in motor homes on campus, Bennett said, because problems could occur, such as fires and sanitation issues.
“From the safety aspect, we don’t allow anyone to camp on campus without college approval,” Bennett said. “The policy is once the campus is closed for the evening, you have to leave and that includes all parking lots.”
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