Driver 'accidentally missed' hitting pedestrians
WEST LINN, Ore. -- An Oregon man was arrested Monday near West Linn City Hall after police said he almost hit a construction worker and two other people with his car.
Brian Keith Charlesworth, 54, was arrested Monday near West Linn City Hall after West Linn Officer Vinnie Moreschi saw Charlesworth driving erratically in a road construction area. He drove out of line and nearly struck a construction flagger as he ran over cones and tore up newly-laid asphalt, according to police.
According to the police account of the incident, Charlesworth sped into the parking lot near West Linn City Hall, spinning and smoking his tires, nearly striking two pedestrians. He slammed his pickup truck into reverse, again spinning and smoking his tires before sliding backwards into a handicap parking space.
Moreschi stopped in front of Charlesworth's vehicle as he was walking away and ordered Charlesworth to stop. Charlesworth cursed at Moreschi, telling him to leave him alone.
Moreschi eventually got Charlesworth to show him his driver's license, but Charlesworth then walked away toward a nearby doctor's office.
Moreschi ordered Charlesworth to stop, but Charlesworth refused and continued on to the doctor's office as he told Moreschi to either arrest him or leave him alone.
Moreschi arrested Charlesworth as he approached the receptionist at the doctor's office. Charlesworth was taken into custody without further incident.
When questioned about what took placed, Charlesworth was belligerent, claiming he "accidentally missed" the persons he endangered, saying he missed them by 10 feet.
Charlesworth was lodged at the Clackamas County Jail on charges of reckless driving and reckless endangering. Charlesworth has previous convictions for assault, eluding police with a vehicle and DUII. Other charges are pending.
