2 killed in TV Hwy crash identified as Southridge HS students; 3 other students, deputy in critical condition

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV) - Two people have died and four others, including a Washington County deputy, are in critical condition following a crash early Wednesday morning in Beaverton.

Just before 12:30 a.m., Beaverton police officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Southwest Tualatin Valley Highway and Southwest Murray Boulevard. Officers arrived and found a Washington County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle and a silver Nissan Altima had been involved in a crash.

Police said an investigation revealed the Nissan, which was occupied by five people, was traveling southbound on SW Murray when the driver ran a red light at SW TV Hwy and struck the WCSO patrol vehicle.

Two people inside the Nissan were pronounced dead at the scene. Three other people inside the car, including the driver, were taken to area hospitals and are in critical condition.

The Beaverton School District said the five people in the Nissan are students at Southridge High School. Police identified the two students killed as 17-year-old Matthew Amaya and 16-year-old Juan Pacheco Aguilera. Both were juniors at Southridge, according to the school district.

“We are devastated to learn of these deaths. Our hearts go out to their families and friends, and our thoughts are with those who are currently hospitalized. We also want to extend our condolences and support to the Southridge community. We have extra counselors at school today to support all those in need,” Southridge Superintendent Don Grotting said in a statement.

On Wednesday evening, Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett identified the injured deputy as Michael Trotter. Sheriff Garrett said Trotter began his career with WCSO as a reserve deputy in 2013 before becoming a full-time patrol deputy in 2015.

One witness of the scene spoke with FOX 12 about the moments leading up to the deadly accident.

Amantha Lusk says she was walking on Southwest Murray Boulevard with a friend when the Nissan Altima sped by them, and heard the crash from down the road.

“We were halfway between Millikan and TV Highway when the silver Nissan passed by us going extremely fast. Right behind him was a sheriff with his lights going, his siren on,” Lusk said. “Now, whether he was chasing the car down, whether he was trying to get past the car, I don’t know 100% for sure. I do know the Nissan didn’t slow.”

“We knew instantly there was an accident, I mean, like, metal crunching,” she said.

She said the scene at that intersection was shocking.

“There was debris everywhere. All the way up to the pole that holds the crosswalk button. Big chunk of the light, it was carnage. I mean, that’s the best way to express how much debris was there,” Lusk said.

As a mother herself, she was devastated to hear what happened to them.

“I cried. I literally cried. It’s bad enough that people lost their lives but when you find out it’s children, and yes, 16, 17 year old’s, you’re children. It’s heartbreaking,” Lusk said. “To lose your child like that, I can’t even imagine, and I don’t even want to imagine.”

The Washington County Crash Analysis and Reconstruction Team (CART) is investigating the crash.

The investigation is ongoing, and no additional details have been released at this time. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call 503-629-0111.

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