DUII driver mows down mother of three in Hazelwood

The young man’s mother says her son, the accused drunk driver, is “a good boy”. See why the bereaved family may hold a different opinion …

This broken sapling is the only reminder of the fatal accident – on this SE Stark Street sidewalk – that took the life of a pedestrian.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Nearly the whole night, on December 11, the 11200 block of SE Stark Street was closed, as the Portland Police Bureau’s Major Crash Team investigated a fatal collision between a Jeep and pedestrian.

Just after 11 p.m., 42-year-old Angela Buyas had been walking near her home, westbound on the sidewalk along SE Stark Street with another person. She never saw the out-of-control vehicle careening toward her from behind.

“Based on information learned during the investigation, officers believe that a Jeep was driving westbound on SE Stark St. at a high rate of speed,” reported Portland Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz. “The driver lost control of his car and drove it up onto the sidewalk on the north side of the street.”

The individual with whom she was walking saw the Jeep at the last moment and jumped clear, but Buyas, a mother of three teenagers, was mowed down, investigators said.

The Jeep’s driver, 21-year-old Tareq Temple, “returned to the roadway and continued westbound for about a half block before stopping, then ran back to the scene. Temple remained there until officers arrived, and cooperated with the investigation,” Schmautz continued.

Temple was taken into custody and charged with one count each of DUII, Reckless Driving, and Manslaughter in the Second Degree.

“As you can imagine, the kids have been devastated by the news that their mom has been killed,” added Schmautz. “The victim’s children are being cared for by their grandmother.”

Police accuse 21-year-old Tareq Temple of killing a pedestrian with his Jeep as she walked along a sidewalk near her home.

Following Temple’s arraignment, his mother, Annette Moody, spoke briefly, saying “Please forgive my son, he’s a good boy.” She admonished the family of the slain mother to be strong, and added, “It was a terrible mistake.”

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