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News Release
Austin Keever-Nyberg receives a 36 month prison sentence for attempting to run down three young males with his vehicle - 01/17/20

January 17, 2020

Austin Keever-Nyberg receives a 36 month prison sentence for attempting to run down three young males with his vehicle

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 22-year-old Austin Keever-Nyberg changed his plea and received a 36 month prison sentence for chasing down three young males with his truck while driving at a high rate of speed and striking at least two members of the group.

“The video in this case certainly speaks for itself. It is jarring to see someone speeding down a sidewalk in a large truck intentionally trying to drive over people as they run away,” said Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Brian Davidson, who prosecuted this case. “It was unusual that none of the young males who were the intended targets came forward to speak with us or law enforcement. Still, we have an obligation to our community to ensure there is accountability, especially when the criminal conduct could have resulted in serious physical injury or even death.” 

After changing his plea, the court convicted Keever-Nyberg of one count of attempted assault in the first degree. The court sentenced him to 36 months in prison followed by 36 months of post-prison supervision. 

This investigation started on January 10, 2019 when a community member released home surveillance video to members of the media.

During the investigation, law enforcement reviewed the video and obtained the truck’s license plate information, which revealed Keever-Nyberg to be associated with the vehicle.

The video shows three young males running into Wilkes Park. As they did, Keever-Nyberg pursued them and drove his vehicle at a high rate of speed over the curb, striking at least two of the males.

On January 18, 2019, law enforcement located a vehicle at a car dealership in the 19000 block of Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard. The truck located matched the description of the vehicle depicted in the home surveillance video.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office located and detained Keever-Nyberg on January 23, 2019 at the Happy Valley Municipal Court. Portland Police responded and placed Keever-Nyberg under arrest for the attempted assault near Wilkes Park.

When questioned by detectives, Keever-Nyberg claimed that the group he attempted to run down had robbed him just moments prior during a drug deal.

At no point during this investigation did any of the three males come forward to identify themselves to law enforcement. The extent of any physical injuries any one of the three males may have suffered remains unknown.

By changing his plea, Keever-Nyberg admitted that he unlawfully and intentionally attempted to cause serious physical injury to another person using a dangerous weapon.

Under Oregon law, “dangerous weapon” means any weapon, device, instrument, material or substance that under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes Portland Police Officer Corey Cronkhite, Officer Daniel Romanowski, Officer James Defrain, and Detective Jeff Sharp for their dedicated efforts investigating this case.

#MCDA#


Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director 
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

Attached Media Files: PR-20-24-Austin_Keever-Nyberg.pdf
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