Amanda Fritz Issues Statement on Lawsuit on Death of Her Husband

Email to a friend Permalink

Friday, June 19, 2015

Portland City Council member Amanda Fritz issues statement on the lawsuit her family is filing in the death of her husband. Steven Fritz was killed in a September, 2014 auto crash.

Fritz statement:

On September 24th of last year, my life and the lives of our three children were drastically changed in an instant, when a truck crashed head-on into my husband's car near the end of his commute on I-5 South to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, killing him and his carpool passenger.  Dr. Steven Fritz was an amazing human being.  He was a wonderful son, husband, father, physician, artist, and friend.  Nothing can make his untimely death less awful for his children, parents, brothers, friends, patients, and me.

The day of the crash, and soon after when I talked with the driver of the truck that killed Steve and our friend Cary Fairchild, I thought it was a freak accident.  Earlier this year, however, I received the Oregon State Police report on the crash.  An independent eyewitness who had been traveling north told investigators that a Carson Oil tanker was driving erratically, at a high speed and passing her on the left lane during a downpour.  The evidence indicates those reckless actions of the tanker caused the truck driven by Michael Lippman to lose control.   

I never imagined our family would need to turn to the civil justice system to help hold wrongdoers accountable. 

The case filed this week is another step in making sure this ongoing tragedy that I've been enduring doesn’t happen to anyone else.  My children, Steve's parents, and I decided we must act, to change driving behaviors and hold Carson Oil accountable for the safe operation of tankers on freeways -- especially in heavy rain.  I hope this case will prevent another Oregon family from having to go through the awful experience we have suffered, while honoring Steve’s life that was cut short so devastatingly.

- Amanda Fritz

As GoLocalPDX reported in September:

Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz’s husband died Wednesday in a multiple-vehicle crash in Salem, the mayor’s office announced Wednesday. 

Just before 8 a.m. a pickup truck driving northbound on I-5 in heavy rain collided with a commercial vehicle, according to Oregon State Police. The pickup then crossed the center median and hit the Nissan Sentra driven by Fritz. Fritz was 54 and an employee at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem.  

64-year-old Cary Fairchild was also critically injured in the wreck that involved five vehicles in total, according to OSP. Cary’s husband, Jim Fairchild works in the Portland Fire and Rescue Bureau.

Gov. John Kitzhaber offered his condolences on Twitter: "My heart goes out to Commissioner Amanda Fritz and her family," he said. "Her husband Dr. Steve Fritz dedicated himself to the service of those in need." 

Today’s City Council meeting that was set for 9:30 a.m. has been cancelled. 

“More details will be forthcoming as they are available,” Haynes said in the release. “We ask for privacy for the family and staff as they work through this difficult time.”

Two other people in another vehicle were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.  OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation. 

OSP was assisted at the scene by several agencies including Salem Police Department, Salem Fire Department, Marion County Sheriff's Office, Keizer Police Department, Woodburn Police Department, ODOT, Salem Environmental Services, and Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

All lanes of traffic were open by 11 a.m. 

SEE OTHER STORIES ON THE INCIDENT BELOW

Related Articles

• Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz’s Husband Dies in I-5 Crash
• Portland Community Leaders React to Steven Fritz’s Death
• Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: Charlie Hales, Amanda Fritz, Kate Brown
• Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: Kate Brown, Allen Alley, Amanda Fritz
• Oregon Politics, Who’s Hot and Who’s Not: GMO Recount, Amanda Fritz, Portland Police
• NEW: Amanda Fritz Proposes Banking Portland’s Existing Cash for Streets, Parks Repairs
• Despite Earlier Statements Fritz Announces Re-Election Run for Portland City Council
• Fritz Wants to Expand Smoking Ban to Entire Park System
• More Than a Car: Steve Fritz’s Nissan “Zentra”
• Commissioner Amanda Fritz Refuses to Support Portland Street Fee Plan

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink