Mother of teen killed on sidewalk: 'My head is still spinning'
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ALOHA, Ore. -- A woman who witnesses said had a seizure at the wheel drove her car onto a sidewalk, striking and killing a 17-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon.
Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Karen Eubanks said the driver continued on after hitting the teen and crashed through a fence and into a house.
Paramedics said they tried to save the boy, identified as Maxwell McGregor, but he died at the scene, a block from his front door on the sidewalk.
"I want everyone to know Max was an excellent student," said Maxwell's mother, Peggy McGregor. "My head is still spinning."
Peggy McGregor said her son wanted to work in aviation engineering. She wanted him to be remembered as someone who never gave her any problems.
Maxwell was an 11th grade student at Health and Science School, and Maureen Wheeler of the Beaverton School District officials will have a tragedy response team in place Wednesday morning to help students and staff.
Sandie Abbott was inside her house when car crashed into her porch. She ran outside to find the woman in the driver's seat having a seizure.
"I knew she was seizing because I've had seizures in the past," Abbott said. "I went up to the car and she was still pushing on the gas. I reached over her and turned the key off. I kept patting her arm, telling her it's going to be alright, what's your name ... stuff like that. Finally, about five minutes later, she came out of it."
The two women talked for about 10 minutes, waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
"She didn't really know what happened," Abbott said. "I didn't want to tell her."
Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Karen Eubanks said the driver continued on after hitting the teen and crashed through a fence and into a house.
Paramedics said they tried to save the boy, identified as Maxwell McGregor, but he died at the scene, a block from his front door on the sidewalk.
"I want everyone to know Max was an excellent student," said Maxwell's mother, Peggy McGregor. "My head is still spinning."
Peggy McGregor said her son wanted to work in aviation engineering. She wanted him to be remembered as someone who never gave her any problems.
Maxwell was an 11th grade student at Health and Science School, and Maureen Wheeler of the Beaverton School District officials will have a tragedy response team in place Wednesday morning to help students and staff.
Sandie Abbott was inside her house when car crashed into her porch. She ran outside to find the woman in the driver's seat having a seizure.
"I knew she was seizing because I've had seizures in the past," Abbott said. "I went up to the car and she was still pushing on the gas. I reached over her and turned the key off. I kept patting her arm, telling her it's going to be alright, what's your name ... stuff like that. Finally, about five minutes later, she came out of it."
The two women talked for about 10 minutes, waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
"She didn't really know what happened," Abbott said. "I didn't want to tell her."
Why aren't they releasing the name of the driver? They have everyone elses name in the article out there.
This is a very sad story- prayers to all of them!Â
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She's going to seize up again when she finds out she killed a 17 year old boy.
 @Hehateme Especially if it turns out she has a history of seizures.
Wow some of these comments. The article says nothing about the driverâs age or medical condition. It does say that she and Sandie Abbott talked for about 10 minutes, waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Â AND "She didn't really know what happened," Abbott said. "I didn't want to tell her."
It doesnât sound as if this was a person who knew they had a history of seizures. Amazing how quickly we can all make judgments without all the facts!
This is so horrible for all invovled!!
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Such a horrible accident, my prayers to all involved
That's sad. Â That poor mom too. Â
In the past week I was nearly killed by an elderly driver here in Kent, WA. Â I was in the bike lane, crossing the street and he made a sharp right turn. Â Luckily I put on my brakes and was able to stop before he turned into me. Â I was so angry (because 5 years ago, the same exact thing happened and I the car did hit me!) I pursued him on bike and tracked him down to his house where I gave him a piece of my mind.
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If you drive around knowing you have condition like this, it's the equivalent of shooting a loaded gun. Â There should be zero sympathy for the driver. Â It's up to the individual to know when it's over, and time to use the bus.
I'd like this kind of tirade when people who are DRUNK "drive around knowing you have a condition like this..it's the equivalent of shooting a loaded gun"
RIP young man, too soon sent on your way. To the driver, I hope you get the medical issue resolved, and you can find peace with what happened.
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I can't believe anyone would intentionally do this, and shame on those who automatically jumped on her condition and driving. Too often people are willing to condemn folks with little-to-no information or details.
My first instinct is just to feel horrible for everybody involved. However, IF this woman knew she had seizures and shouldn't be driving, then she should be charged with vehicular manslaughter. Poor, poor innocent kid. RIP, Maxwell.
 @dancingnights999 Really? If someone has a medical condition such as epilepsy they cannot drive. My friend hasn't driven in a long time because of it. So no, she didn't "know" she would have a seizure. It can happen to anyone at any time.Â
@dancingnights999 So far we know nothing of this ladies medical history!
 The article stated only that
 "Sandie Abbott was inside her house when car crashed into her porch. She ran outside to find the woman in the driver's seat having a seizure. "I knew she was seizing because I've had seizures in the past," Abbott said."
 @SchönLicht  @dancingnights999 He said, "IF" she knew about it. Can you read?
How horrible. Sorry for the mom who lost her boy.
You are right "it is only me". In 73 before I turned 12 I had a brain hemmoraghe and was on childrens dosage and it was in 76 that I had a grand mal seizure and they decided it was time for the adult dosage and there has been no problems since or a month short of 36 years. Or they are completely controlled if I take the medication. The hospital takes the medication level every 3 months to make sure it is not to low or high. If you are responsible and they are controlled, then you can drive. I would have to miss 2 or 3 days for anything to happen, which is why they take a blood sample so nothing goes wrong. It is the irresponsible ones we worry about.
Why was this woman driving?
 @mac14:Â
What "proof" do you have that she should not have been?
My only concern is....that she is NOT driving anymore....forever!
 @LocalLady  @mac14: If she has a history of seizures, which is most likely the case, she should not have been.
Every parent's worst nightmare.
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So, so sorry about your son lady.... There is nothing worse.
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Last week in Shoreline, I was driving North and another car was driving South. The other driver had a seizure and swerved then went to the Right directly into a wooden fence, over a 4' high rockery and into a carport. His car was suspended between the carport and rockery. If he had went Left rather than Right, he would have hit me. I stopped and ran to his car and he was violently shaking. It was clear that he was having a seizure.  His seatbelt and airbags saved his life and I am so grateful that nobody died during this. Then I hear about this story the following week and I am so so sad for everyone involved. Â
 @MizIMO I hope the guy you ran into will be responsible and quit driving now. Most likely he will play Russian roulette with others' lives though - for his own convenience.
 @super  @MizIMO when you have a seizure, the state suspends your license.
In a situation such as this, I would like to think emergency responders would be on site in less than the 15 minutes the witness is implying that it took. Time is very hard to judge when in the middle of a traumatic occurance.
Wow, the driver has already been convicted of being completely negligent and not taking proper medication and driving when she should have taken the bus. We've also convicted the majority of teenagers of not having ambition in life.
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Why not just mourn an all-around tragedy rather than assign blame and call people irresponsible? I for one was utterly touched by the sensitivity and kindness of heart of the woman who helped after the crash by comforting and not giving grisly details. I also cannot bear to think of the horror all involved will feel for a long time and hope for healing to all survivors.
 @WebGirlie Thank you!
"IF" this woman was supposed to be on seizure medication and refused to take it, but still drove her car, she should be put away for murder. Â If this was beyond her control, it's an extremely unfortunate situation for all parties involved. Â RIP to the young man, it sounds like he was one of the few teens who had ambition to make his life better, and was taken out too soon. Â
 @eichler34 I suspect MOST teens are NOT the same as those we read about in the news.
She should NOT have been driving. You know you are at risk of having a seizure, take a bus!!!!
 @yourstruly Good....God....
 @yourstruly:Â
I knew it was coming, the "they should not be allowed to drive" crowd - and it only took 3 comments into the string.
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MANY times, people with NO HISTORY OF SEIZURES can have them, due to many factors. NOWHERE in this story does it say she had a history of seizures. For all you know, this could have been her first one ever.
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So, what are you going to do? Ban EVERYBODY from driving, because potentially anyone *could* have a seizure?Â
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Comments like yours show how ignorant people like you are.
 @yourstruly so you are an expert on seizures now? well, I will tell you what, I had one seizure that landed me in the hospital for four days. I did NOT know I was going to have a seizure, I was standing there washing dishes, then I was on the floor having a seizure, no warning, my body just shut down and I was lying on the floor and I had zero control over what my body was doing. Thankfully I was not in the car because I would not have been able to control my car. I don't think you should pass judgement on this woman without knowing the facts. IF she had a history of seizures and had warning signs that a seizures was coming on and continued to drive anyway, then that is a problem, but we don't know that. Â
 @It_is_only_me  @yourstruly This may come as a shock to you, brains, but most people end up having history with seizures who have them and this is a grown woman, not a teen. It's most likely NOT her first one. We don't know either way of course. BUT, the likelyhood of it being her first, is LESS than it not.
 @super Dr. Super is here to diagnose someone who he has never seen or heard of before this news article.Â
At this time there is no info about her medical history. This could have been her first seizure. You could have a seizure one day. You should NOT drive. Take the bus only from now on.Â
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No LOL. A mom lost her teenaged son through no fault of his own. I think it's sad.
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Maybe the driver never had a seizure before.
right on achoo2.Â
Heartbreaking news. I am so very sorry for the loss of Maxwell McGregor. Â And for the driver of the car, you couldn't have stopped what happened though you will tear yourself up over it...a tragedy in so many ways. Deepest condolences.
Wow. Tragedy all around. Every person involved seems to be just a victim of circumstance. Nobody to blame. Just be grateful for every day we have with our loved ones. I had a close call this morning when somebody who was probably late for work ran a solid red light. He missed my car and the car next to me by inches. It was over an hour ago but my heart is still pounding. My baby was in the back... gave him lots of hugs and kisses and called my husband to tell him again that I loved him. Every day is a gift.
I'm glad luck was on your side today and that you and your baby are fine.