HOOD RIVER, Ore. — A tragic event unfolded in Hood River last Friday when a local man was fatally injured as he attempted to prevent the theft of his bicycle. Now, three individuals have been charged with murder in connection to his death, officials said.
A Hood River County grand jury has formally indicted Johnathan Matthews, 31, William Hardy Jr., 36, and Elizabeth Bowman, 41. They face charges of second-degree murder, alongside additional counts of first-degree robbery, first-degree theft, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Matthews is facing further charges that include first-degree manslaughter, reckless driving, and reckless endangering.
The incident involved the victim, 38-year-old Stephen Hayes, who became a victim in his own pursuit of justice outside his residence. The local community has expressed profound sorrow and solidarity, providing support to Hayes’s bereaved family during this difficult time.
Authorities detailed that the chain of events began with the reported theft of a Ford F-150 from Jacobs Sanitation in The Dalles on April 11. Matthews is accused of stealing the vehicle before picking up his accomplices, Hardy and Bowman, and heading to Hood River.
Upon their arrival, Hardy is alleged to have attempted to steal Hayes’s bicycle, planning to load it onto the back of the stolen pickup truck. Witnessed by Hayes’s partner from their home, the theft prompted Hayes to rush outside to confront the perpetrators.
District Attorney Matt Ellis described the deadly sequence that followed. “As Hayes grabbed onto the passenger side of the truck, Matthews accelerated and swerved, eventually causing Hayes to be thrown to the ground and run over,” Ellis explained.
Following the confrontation, the accused trio is said to have fled to Post Canyon, where they reportedly attempted to conceal their crime by painting over the bike and covering the truck’s logos with marking paint.
The police were able to apprehend Hardy and Bowman the following day, with Matthews’s arrest occurring on April 15. The seriousness of the charges reflects the deadly consequences of what began as a theft.
The community reaction has been one of heartache and condemnation of the violent act. Local residents have been laying flowers and memorabilia at the site of Hayes’s death, a somber reminder of the incident.
Legal proceedings for the accused are set to continue with an arraignment scheduled for Monday. The case has gripped the local community, leaving many to await the outcomes of what promises to be a closely watched trial.
This tragic incident underscores the growing concerns over petty theft escalating into more severe violent crimes, leaving behind a trail of grief and prompting communities and law enforcement to seek better preventive measures.