In the News: NHS graduates killed in Alaska crash

Services for Colton Fettig, a 2008 Newberg High School graduate, will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, at Newberg Christian Church, 2315 Villa Road in Newberg. A reception will follow the service. Family requests that those attending consider wearing Oregon State University or camouflage colors in Colton's honor.

Newberg High School graduates killed in Alaska crash
By the Associated Press and New-Register staff

FAIRBANKS, Alaska —Prosecutors will await blood alcohol tests before deciding on additional charges in a traffic crash that killed a pair of 2008 graduates of Newberg High School on a rural road east of Fairbanks.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported that Paul Augustus Kirsteatter, 31, was arraigned Saturday on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving while suspended and felony assault. He was ordered held without bail.

According to Alaska state troopers, early Saturday, Kirsteatter was driving a three-quarter ton pickup truck on Nordale Road and drifted into the southbound lane.

The pickup collided with a small car carrying four people who had spent Friday at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

The crash killed driver Colton J. Fettig, 22, of Corvallis, and Jordan W. Boggs, 22, of North Pole, who was riding in the back seat on the driver’s side. Claudia Stewart of the Newberg School District confirmed both are graduates of Newberg High.

Passengers Gerald Noy, 18, and Hannah Gustafson, 20, both of Fairbanks, were injured. Gustafson suffered a fractured sternum and ribs, a ruptured spleen and a collapsed lung, according to the criminal complaint. Noy suffered cuts and bruises but was able to walk.

Arresting officers said in court documents that Kirsteatter smelled of alcohol and had red, watery eyes when he was interviewed in the trauma room of Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

Noy told troopers he saw the truck approaching in the opposite lane with its high beam headlights on. He said Fettig flashed the car’s headlights to signal the truck. As the car approached the truck, Noy said, the truck veered into their lane.

The impact demolished both vehicles.

Kirsteatter was arraigned via video from Fairbanks Correctional Center and had a cut on his forehead. Troopers said he was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown against the windshield.

He requested a public defender.

Kirsteatter was charged in July with felony assault near Delta Junction and was accused of pointing a gun at someone, Assistant District Attorney Bill Spiers said. He was free on bail. Kirsteatter was charged with reckless driving and driving with a suspended driver’s license in the same incident. Investigators said he had ignored a road construction flag crew, according to Spiers. He was charged again Jan. 19 with driving on a suspended driver’s license.

Stewart said a "safe room" was being set up today at the school for any individuals who wanted to gather with counselors or amongst themselves to talk about the deaths.

Services are pending for both Boggs and Fettig, according to Stewart.