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News Release

Salem Man Pleads Guilty In Traffic Death And Sexual Abuse Of 16yo - 04/20/26

Salem, OR – April 20, 2026 –  On April 17, 2026, The Honorable Marion County Circuit Court Judge Tracy Prall sentenced defendant Christopher Atkinson, age 34, to 192 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections. Atkinson pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, Assault in the Third Degree, two counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree, and Driving Under the Influence.

 

The conviction stems from two separate incidents that occurred in March 2025.  On March 10, 2025 Atkinson secured a hotel room for himself, and three juveniles.  He provided BuzzBallz “Biggies” to the juveniles.  The defendant and a 16-year-old victim engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct while she was under the influence of alcohol.

 

Later that month, on March 23, the defendant was driving in his vehicle with four passengers, including the victim from the previous event, between the ages of 12-16 of age.  While speeding east on Fern Ridge Road SE, the defendant lost control of his vehicle, a white Mercedes sedan.  The car skidded off the road and flipped upside down, ejecting the passenger (age 16) riding in the back seat on the right side of the vehicle which resulted in her death. The 12-year-old in the vehicle was intubated at Salem Hospital and then flown via life flight to OHSU with significant injuries. The defendant initially tried to walk away from the scene but returned.

 

The defendant admitted that he had been driving with the juveniles for a few hours, and everyone was smoking and drinking.  Atkinson provided alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana to the juveniles.  He admitted to driving at speeds near 100mph during the evening.  A bong, commonly used for smoking marijuana, was found in the vehicle.

 

“This was a heartbreaking and entirely preventable tragedy,” said Chief Deputy DA Brendan Murphy. “The defendant’s decisions resulted in the loss of a young life, and our office will continue to hold offenders accountable for devastating choices like this.”

 

Deputy District Attorney Shannon Sullivan represented the state in this case. The Marion County DA’s Office wishes to thank the community partners who helped in the investigations in both cases. Our community is made better because of the work of Liberty House, the Salem Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Salem Man Pleads Guilty In Traffic Death And Sexual Abuse Of 16yo - 04/20/26

Salem, OR – April 20, 2026 –  On April 17, 2026, The Honorable Marion County Circuit Court Judge Tracy Prall sentenced defendant Christopher Atkinson, age 34, to 192 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections. Atkinson pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, Assault in the Third Degree, two counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree, and Driving Under the Influence.

 

The conviction stems from two separate incidents that occurred in March 2025.  On March 10, 2025 Atkinson secured a hotel room for himself, and three juveniles.  He provided BuzzBallz “Biggies” to the juveniles.  The defendant and a 16-year-old victim engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct while she was under the influence of alcohol.

 

Later that month, on March 23, the defendant was driving in his vehicle with four passengers, including the victim from the previous event, between the ages of 12-16 of age.  While speeding east on Fern Ridge Road SE, the defendant lost control of his vehicle, a white Mercedes sedan.  The car skidded off the road and flipped upside down, ejecting the passenger (age 16) riding in the back seat on the right side of the vehicle which resulted in her death. The 12-year-old in the vehicle was intubated at Salem Hospital and then flown via life flight to OHSU with significant injuries. The defendant initially tried to walk away from the scene but returned.

 

The defendant admitted that he had been driving with the juveniles for a few hours, and everyone was smoking and drinking.  Atkinson provided alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana to the juveniles.  He admitted to driving at speeds near 100mph during the evening.  A bong, commonly used for smoking marijuana, was found in the vehicle.

 

“This was a heartbreaking and entirely preventable tragedy,” said Chief Deputy DA Brendan Murphy. “The defendant’s decisions resulted in the loss of a young life, and our office will continue to hold offenders accountable for devastating choices like this.”

 

Deputy District Attorney Shannon Sullivan represented the state in this case. The Marion County DA’s Office wishes to thank the community partners who helped in the investigations in both cases. Our community is made better because of the work of Liberty House, the Salem Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.