Bend driver crashes classic car, blames deer
Tracee Tuesday
(Correction: Cars and Coffee is a monthly event authorized by Dilly Dally Coffee.)
BEND, Ore. [KTVZ] — Residents were stunned Sunday morning when they heard and saw a car burning rubber in West Bend. According to the Bend Police Department, a man crashed his classic car after speeding out of the SW Colorado Avenue roundabout.
When officers arrived around 9:40 AM, witnesses explained that they were enjoying their morning coffee at Dilly Dally Coffee on Emkay Drive, when they say, who we now know as Bend resident, 67-year-old Tony Conte, lost control of his 1968 Pontiac Firebird while accelerating at a high rate of speed.
He not only struck a fire hydrant, but damaged his own car.
Conte and his passenger initially claimed a deer caused the crash—but officers say multiple witnesses disputed that story.
Conte was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and second-degree criminal mischief.
Witnesses also say it was a dangerous situation because Conte lost control of his car which could have resulted in multiple injuries to pedestrians and onlookers.
Bend Police are reminding everyone to drive slowly and avoid using neighborhood streets for racing.
Aaron Hofferber, the event coordinator for Dilly Dally Cars & Coffee, told KTVZ News the event was authorized in partnership with Dilly Dally Coffee Co.
“We have no control over sole individuals and the choices they chose to make once they leave private property onto public roads,” Hofferber told us.