Lakeview, Ore. – The community of Lakeview is mourning the loss of a local teacher killed in a hit and run accident. The death of Noni Vandenberg has hit the town of Lakeview hard.
The Lake County Courthouse closed Friday afternoon for her funeral. The accident happened late Tuesday afternoon on a section of Stock Drive Lane about a mile west of Lakeview.
Lake County District Attorney Ulys Stapleton says Mitchell Keith Stephens of Lakeview has been charged with causing Vandenberg’s death, “The evidence indicates that he was driving a vehicle on stock drive and he struck her while she was traveling westbound on a bicycle.”
Police say Stephens fled the scene – he later told police the sun was in his eyes, and that he thought he had hit a deer. Lake County Undersheriff Paul Havel notes that Stephens was taken into custody, “The individual was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the first degree, failure to perform the duties of a driver, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving under the influence.”
A memorial service for Vandenberg was held Friday afternoon at Lakeview High School.
“This is a loss that’s going to be deeply felt in this community for a very long time,” Said Lake County Schools Superintendent Will Cahill. “And Noni was a part of it all, and we will miss her.”
Vandenberg first moved to Lakeview in 1986- she’d taught math for over 10 years. An emotional D.A. Stapleton added, “It’s hit everybody very hard.”
Evidence in the case is scheduled to be presented to a grand jury next week.
Stephens remains lodged at the Lake County Jail.
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