Driver charged in deadly NE Portland crash

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) – A 63-year-old man will be arraigned on Friday on charges of criminal negligent homicide and driving while under the influence of intoxicants.

Records show that Richard Earl Dryden was indicted in October following the death of Thomas Gazzola.

The Oregonian/Oregonian Live reports that Gazzola was a Washington State University Vancouver math professor and was known nationally as a puzzle expert.

According to the indictment, Dryden “did unlawfully, and with criminal negligence, cause the death” of Gazzola. The crash happened at the intersection of Northeast 60th and Northeast Wasco on June 3.

Officers with the Major Crash Team responded and performed a field sobriety test on Dryden, which he failed, according to court documents. He admitted that he had consumed at least 3 alcoholic drinks.

Originally, Dryden had faced charges of third-degree assault and DUII.

Dryden, according to court records, lives in Longview, Wash. A criminal background check only shows a reckless driving citation in 1979.