Multnomah County District Attorney Calls Judge's Ruling "bewildering". (re-sending To Correct And Show No Drug Eval Or Treatment Ordered) - 09/09/25

JUDGE FINDS MAN NOT GUILTY OF RECKLESS DRIVING AFTER HE DRIVES THROUGH PARK AND PLAYGROUND BEFORE POSTING TO SOCIAL MEDIA

September 9, 2025

Portland, OR-Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Katharine von Ter Stegge refused to hold a dangerous driver fully accountable despite having his driving crimes posted for the world to see on social media. 

At a bench trial (trial by judge rather than jury),  Judge von Ter Stegge found 33-year-old Oscar Lee Burrell Jr. guilty of only three of 11 charges. Judge von Ter Stegge found Mr. Burrell guilty of the following: (1) Reckless Driving for a March 25, 2025 driving incident in Peninsula Park; and (2) Reckless Driving and Recklessly Endangering Another Person for a March 28, 2025 incident on Interstate-5.

The charges were all misdemeanors.

After her decision, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez blasted the rulings.

“I strongly disagree with Judge Von Ter Stegge’s evaluation of the facts in this case.

The evidence in this case clearly showed that Mr. Burrell was engaged in wildly reckless behavior including driving a vehicle without using his hands while hanging out the driver side window on Interstate Five. Additionally, the fact that he was driving through Portland city parks and there is video of this, in which you can see at least one child in the park, and that somehow she was able to find him not guilty of charges associated with that is bewildering.”

THE FACTS:

On March 25, 2025, Mr. Burrell filmed himself driving on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard while covering his face, sitting on his vehicle driver side door window, and hanging out that vehicle window.  Mr. Burrell veered into oncoming traffic before driving into Peninsula Park by way of a pedestrian path.  Mr. Burrell proceeded to then do burnouts or “doughnuts” in a grassy area near pickleball courts, trees, and other Peninsula Park property.  Mr. Burrell did so while filming a “selfie” video that he then posted to social media.

Guilty: Reckless Driving

Not Guilty: Recklessly Endangering Another Person; Criminal Mischief 2

On March 27, 2025, Mr. Burrell filmed himself driving into Farragut Park while - again - hanging out of his vehicle. Mr. Burrell drove on a pedestrian path, through a playground, and through city streets while covering his face, laughing, and making various hand gestures.  Mr. Burrell did so - again - while filming a “selfie” video that he then posted to social media.

Not Guilty: Reckless Driving

On March 28, 2025, Mr. Burrell filmed himself driving on Interstate Five. Mr. Burrell passed multiple vehicles while sitting on his vehicle driver side window, hanging out of that window, and steering with his knee. Mr. Burrell did so - yet again - while filming a “selfie” video that he then posted to social media.

Guilty: Reckless Driving; Recklessly Endangering Another Person

Not Guilty: Recklessly Endangering Another Person x 4; Disorderly Conduct 2

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Alex Garcia prosecuted the case for the State.

After the verdict and sentencing he said:

“Mr. Burrell poses a grave risk of danger to members of our community. His driving is egregious. It is scary. I believe that Mr. Burrell will not stop driving dangerously. He is fueled by social media and posting to social media. Mr. Burrell’s conduct is 100% criminal and he will continue to do it for the ‘likes’.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Bureau Officer Zachary Nell for his work on this case.

Burrell was sentenced to no jail time, 18 months bench probation to Judge von Ter Stegge, 80 hours of community service, attending a victim impact panel, taking a high risk driver course, mental health evaluation and treatment if found necessary, and a 90 day license suspension.

###MCDA###