Oregon Judge Sentences Milwaukee Drunk Driver to Five Years

Clackamas County Circuit Judge Robert D. Herndon sentenced Katie Warren, 22, to five years in prison and suspended her driver’s license for life, in February of this year.

Ms. Warren, who is from Milwaukee, was on a rafting trip down the Clackamas River with friends. She had been drinking all day and became separated from them. She then asked Chester Raimer, 48, for help finding her friends. After her friends were found Ms. Warren offered to drive them all, including Mr. Raimer, back to Milo McIver State Park. She hit a tree, while speeding and driving erratically, in the park. Mr. Raimer was killed and Ms. Warrens’ three friends were all injured.

Her blood alcohol level, 0.2, was twice the legal limit.

“She couldn’t be put behind bars long enough to satisfy me,” said Bobbi Diedrich, the mother of Raimer’s six-year-old son. “She does not deserve any leniency whatsoever.” “I don’t hate you,” said June Raimer, Chester Raimer’s mother. “I don’t feel sorry for you either,” Raimer said. “I forgive you … all of us sometimes need forgiveness.” None of Ms. Warrens’ friends, which were injured in the crash, appeared in court.

“When a decent person makes a terrible mistake and takes a life, we are all kind of left unsatisfied that the punishment never fits the crime,” said Clackamas County Circuit Judge Robert D. Herndon.

Ms. Warren was convicted of criminally negligent homicide, assault and driving drunk.