Victim of crash that killed two teens driving stolen car in police chase says they didn't deserve to die
A teenager who was injured when two others crashed into her during an alleged police chase has opened up about the incident and their deaths.
On June 25, a collision involving two vehicles and a utility pole took place near the intersection of Southeast 139th Avenue and Southeast Division Street in Portland, Oregon killing two and injuring two others.
One vehicle had Ida B. Wells High School - located in Southwest Portland - sophomore students Dylan Brasky, 16, and Jayden Rolon-Ekis, 16, inside, alongside Cole 'CJ' Johnson - a recent graduate from the same school.
Advert
At around 12:14am, Portland Police Bureau reports that Gresham Police Department officers had 'attempted to stop [the] vehicle in the area of Southeast 159th Avenue and Southeast Division Street,' however, the vehicle eluded officials.
"Minutes later, Gresham Police found the car crashed near the intersection of Southeast 139th Avenue and Southeast Division Street," the report continues.
According to the Portland Police Bureau, 'investigators determined Rolon-Ekis was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash [and] Brasky was a passenger in the vehicle'.
Driver of the other vehicle, Allesia Westphall has since spoken out about her recollection of the incident.
Westphall told KATU she'd 'sped up a little bit' and was planning on getting 'over to the left lane' after spotting 'two cars in the lane next to [her]' and the car 'kind of behind' her looking like it was about to 'lane change'.
However, 'before [she] could even think,' Westphall saw headlights in her rearview and 'felt a big bang'.
She continued: "I held on as tight as I could. I used all my muscle, and I let God take the wheel."
The crash left Westphall unable to open the doors of her car, so she was forced to climb onto her sunroof and stood there 'waiting for a paramedic or a cop to help'.
Westphall walked away with a 'sprained back and whiplash' alongside 'bruises head to toe'.
Both Brasky and Rolon-Ekis were found deceased at the scene and the third individual was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, and Westphall has since reflected on the duo's passing.
She said: "Those boys did not deserve to die in that accident at all.
"They maybe made a dumb decision, but they still can learn from their decisions. "Like, they should've gotten another chance. It's not fair."
Brasky and Rolon-Ekis' passing and Johnson's injuries have since been addressed by the principal of their school.
A letter sent out to parents stated: "Our hearts go out to Dylan and Jayden’s families and friends, and we continue to wish CJ a full recovery."
The school has also offered support to staff and students once the next year begins.
Anyone with information about the incident, who has not yet spoken to authorities, is asked to contact [email protected], attention Traffic Investigations Unit, and reference case number 24-156826.
UNILAD has contacted Portland Police Bureau and Ida B. Wells High School for comment.
Poppy Bilderbeck