Inset: Izac Rutledge being arrested at the Rockaway Beach Wayside parking lot in Oregon (Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Rockaway Beach Wayside parking lot where Izac Rutledge stabbed a man after the victim confronted him and a female driver Rutledge was riding with, who hit the victim’s pregnant wife (Google Maps).
An unsettling incident unfolded in Oregon when a pregnant woman was struck by a Jeep while she was holding her 2-year-old son. This led to a violent confrontation where her husband was stabbed by a passenger from the vehicle, according to local law enforcement.
Tillamook County Sheriff Josh Brown remarked, “This incident escalated quickly,” in a statement shared via a Facebook post and a press release.
Authorities have charged 25-year-old Izac Rutledge with first-degree assault, among other charges, following the events that occurred over the weekend at Rockaway Beach. Reports indicate he was a passenger in the Jeep that hit the woman on Sunday around 1 p.m. in the Rockaway Beach Wayside parking area.
According to the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, the pregnant woman was walking with her husband while carrying their young child when a silver Jeep Patriot struck her. After the collision, her husband approached the driver to discuss the incident. It was during this confrontation that Rutledge allegedly exited the vehicle and stabbed the husband in the back with a weapon.
Following the assault, Rutledge reportedly jumped back into the Jeep, and the vehicle sped away from the scene. The woman driving the Jeep allegedly decided to stop a few blocks away and returned to the parking lot on foot, leaving the vehicle behind.
Meanwhile, Rutledge made his escape on foot.
“[The driver] cooperated with TCSO deputies,” the sheriff’s office says. “During the investigation, deputies learned the suspect fled on foot and attempted to avoid detection by changing his clothing.”
Rutledge was located “a short time later” and taken into custody without further incident.
The pregnant mom and her 2-year-old both suffered undisclosed injuries “but are expected to be okay,” the sheriff’s office reports.
“The adult male victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a stab wound and is expected to recover,” according to police.
“This incident … had the potential to result in far more serious injuries,” Sheriff Brown said. “I am proud of the swift response by our deputies and thankful for the assistance from the citizens who were present and helped provide information during the incident.”
In addition to assault, Rutledge is also facing charges of menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, and disorderly conduct. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on April 3.
