PORTLAND, Ore. — A Multnomah County judge on Monday sentenced a 62-year-old Portland man to 10 years in prison for a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a 28-year-old woman in Northeast Portland in September 2024.
Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Eric Dahlin imposed the sentence on Richard Epton following his June 9 conviction by a Multnomah County jury. Jurors found Epton guilty of first-degree manslaughter, failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons, and driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII).
The charges stemmed from the death of Victoria Jacob-Springer, who was sitting in the roadway near the 8500 block of Northeast Fremont Street at about 2:15 a.m. on Sept. 18, 2024.
According to prosecutors, Epton had spent the evening socializing with his wife and arrived at the Korner Pocket Bar near Northeast 73rd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard around midnight. Surveillance footage showed him drinking and socializing until approximately 1:45 a.m.
About 30 minutes later, Epton was driving his Ford F-250 pickup home when he struck Jacob-Springer near the intersection of Northeast 85th Avenue and Fremont Street. Investigators said video footage showed the truck braking about 27 to 30 feet before impact.
Prosecutors said Epton stopped for roughly 10 seconds after the collision before driving away. Investigators later identified the vehicle through surveillance images from a nearby business and contacted Epton. During an interview, Epton denied striking anyone and denied stopping his truck, according to court records.
A subsequent examination of the vehicle revealed human tissue underneath the truck. Testing later found strong support that the DNA recovered from the vehicle belonged to Jacob-Springer, prosecutors said.
The case marked Epton’s fourth DUII offense.
Deputy District Attorney Andrew Wood, who prosecuted the case, said the incident was devastating for everyone involved.
“This was a tragedy for all parties involved. I hope that the result provides some sense of justice for the family of Ms. Jacob-Springer and highlights the dangers of driving under the influence,” Wood said.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office credited the Portland Police Bureau and the Gresham Police Department for their investigation and recognized victim advocate Kelly Eoff for providing support and assistance to those affected by the case.
Epton was sentenced June 22 in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
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