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Residents urge action after vehicle‑ramming incident; council encourages DA outreach
Summary
Multiple residents described property damage and alleged intoxication in a July 15 vehicle incident involving a driver identified as Anthony Jacob Yates; speakers said the district attorney dropped charges and urged the DA to reconsider, while the council said it lacks direct jurisdiction but will encourage residents to contact the DA.
Several residents used general public comment to report a July 15 crash they described as a vehicle‑ramming and alleged that the Josephine County district attorney declined to pursue charges. TJ (TJ Tice) told the council the driver, identified in public comment as Anthony Jacob Yates, “barreled down Harvey Lane” and damaged multiple properties and vehicles; he said he believed available evidence supported criminal charges. "This is a hit and run at this point, a serious crime," he said.
Martin Theis, who identified himself as accompanying neighbors, said the defendant was arrested by police but released and that a toxicology evaluation will not be completed if charges are dropped, which community members called a grave injustice. Council members and staff acknowledged the seriousness of the claims and said the city has limited authority over DA charging decisions; staff advised residents to contact the DA directly and said staff would follow up on the local enforcement record. The council encouraged affected residents to reach out to the district attorney and noted the city will assist with available administrative follow‑up but cannot compel county prosecutorial decisions.
