Girls are Rosemont Ridge Middle School students

Two Rosemont Ridge Middle School students are making steady progress toward recovery after a tragic accident Aug. 7.

At about 2:30 p.m. that day, the Wilsonville Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle that struck two teenage pedestrians near the intersection of Southwest Wilsonville Road near Memorial Drive in Wilsonville.

According to police, a Jeep Cherokee heading westbound on Wilsonville Road reportedly veered off the road, went across the sidewalk and struck two 13-year-old girls walking on the sidewalk.

According to the Rosemont Ridge Middle School PTO Facebook page, the two girls are students at the school. The parents of the girls have requested that the girls’ names not be released.

One patient was transported by air ambulance and one was transported by ground ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. As of Tuesday afternoon, girls have been upgraded from critical to fair condition.

The 19-year-old driver, Tyler Joos of Wilsonville, remained at the scene of the accident and is cooperating with police. According to Sgt. Robert Wurpes, police were preparing a search warrant late last week to get a closer look at the vehicle, which is standard in this sort of case. The investigation is ongoing and no charges are pending at this time.

On Aug. 9, Willamette United Soccer girls hosted a gathering at Rolling Hills Community Church for anyone affected by the accident. There were materials to make posters and signs, and pastors and counselors were available.

The Rosemont Ridge PTO is hosting an event on Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. in the commons for kids to create cards and letters.

“I am grateful to live in such a supportive community. The outpouring of love and support is critical for the families during times like these and also makes a difference to those providing it. Everyone needs time and space to process events like these. That we can rally together for the families, with one another, is wonderful,” said Holly Miller, PTO president.

According to Miller, several school families are taking collections of cards and letters from the community to bring to the hospital for the girls and their parents.

As the girls are also members of the Willamette United Soccer Club, the club is pouring out support for the families.

“The board of directors and staff at Willamette United operate under the premise that we are more than a soccer club — we are a family and a community. As a group, we will always be there to support any of our members or families during a time of need,” stated an Aug. 12 email from the board of directors.

The club placed two large “get well” banners at Athey Creek on Aug. 12 along with markers so friends and family can sign them. There were also baskets, one for each girl by the banners, so our members could drop off small gifts. Their banners and baskets will remain at the school until Thursday evening.

Sheriff’s office investigators along with the Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Team (CRAFT) are still working to create a reconstruction of the incident. Investigators are also conducting interviews of known witnesses and are actively seeking other witnesses.

If you were a witness to this accident or have any information regarding it, contact the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office tip line by calling 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at clackamas.us/sheriff/forms/tip.html. Reference Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office case No. 13-23964.

The public can also submit crime tip text messages to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office from a cellphone.

Send a text message to CRIMES (274637 on your phone keypad) with the keyword CCSO as the first word in the message body.