Gresham Man Arrested for Fatal June Crash That Killed Two

Gresham, OR. — A 22-year-old driver has been arrested following a fatal June crash that claimed the lives of a Gresham couple.

Investigators with the East County Vehicular Crimes Team (VCT) have charged Eyasu Bedasso, 22, in connection with the June 16 crash on SW Towle Avenue. Police say Bedasso was driving a small SUV that collided with another vehicle driven by 69-year-old Theresa Heick. Theresa died at the scene, while her husband and passenger, 79-year-old Robert Heick, was hospitalized with critical injuries and later died.

The VCT, composed of officers from the Gresham Police Department and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, as well as prosecutors from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, conducted a detailed investigation. Using physical evidence, surveillance footage, vehicle data, and drone imaging, investigators determined that Bedasso’s SUV was traveling over 80 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone. They found that excessive speed was the primary cause of the crash but said impairment was not a factor.

A Multnomah County Grand Jury indicted Bedasso on October 31, and he was arrested on November 5. He was booked into the Multnomah County Jail and faces two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide, and one count of Reckless Driving.

Authorities described the crash as a tragic reminder of the dangers of speeding and urged drivers to obey posted limits to prevent similar tragedies.