Verbal altercation leads to Hit and Run that severely injures Klamath Falls man

The following is a press release from the Klamath Fall City Police.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On Monday, June 14th, 2021, at approximately 3:05 PM, officers with the Klamath Falls Police Department responded to the parking lot behind 415 Walnut Avenue, regarding a report of a Hit & Run accident involving a pickup and pedestrian.

The initial report indicated a male pedestrian was struck by a pickup, knocking him to the ground and the responsible party fled the scene in the vehicle.

When officers arrived, they found 39-year-old Dennis Wayne Myers, lying on the ground in the parking lot, behind a parked vehicle. Officers discovered Myers was suffering from significant head injuries.

Medical personnel arrived on scene, treated Myers, and transported him to Sky Lakes Medical Center for further evaluation. Myers was later flown to St Charles in Bend, Oregon, for specialized treatment. His status there is currently unavailable.

Preliminary investigation revealed the driver of the pickup was, 37-year-old Amanda Marie DeSpain. DeSpain reportedly fled the scene and was later located and taken into custody without further incident.

Over the course of the investigation, investigators discovered that Meyers and DeSpain, who were involved in an intimate relationship, had been involved in a verbal altercation in the parking lot behind 415 Walnut Avenue.

The verbal altercation escalated and Despain entered her vehicle and aggressively dove it in the direction of Meyers, who was standing in front of her pickup. DeSpain continued to drive towards Myers eventually knocking over his parked motorcycle. Myers approached the driver side door of the pickup and DeSpain drove off in reverse causing Myers to violently fall backwards onto the asphalt. DeSpain then fled the scene.

DeSpain was lodged at the Klamath County Jail for Assault II, Felony Hit & Run, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Reckless Driving.

This incident is still under investigation. If you have information that can assist the investigation, please contact the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336, or call the anonymous tip line at 541-883-5334.