- Gabriel Owens, 45, killed Kira Haston in a car accident in September. He later died of a fentanyl overdose
- Owens was awarded $10 million in 2016 after a cycling accident at a resort that left him paralyzed
- Kyle Haston is now considering a civil lawsuit after Owens' death leaves him unable to face a manslaughter charge
A battle is developing over the $10 million estate of an Oregon man charged with DUI manslaughter in connection with a driver he allegedly killed while high on pills.
Gabriel Owens, 45, died Oct. 11 of a fatal fentanyl overdose, according to an attorney for Kyle Haston, the brother of Owens' alleged victim in the manslaughter case, Kira Haston.
He was awarded his riches in a 2022 civil lawsuit after being paralyzed in a mountain bike accident on Mount Hood. His spine broke below the navel while riding a double black diamond course in 2016.
He successfully sued the resort after a jury found the trail had too many ruts and awarded him $10.5 million, leading the area that operates the mountain to ban biking on the trail in the summer.
On September 8 around 1 p.m., police officers found Owens and his 2022 Tesla sedan — legally retrofitted, as Owens was paralyzed — colliding head-on with Haston's 2005 Mazda.
A battle is developing over the $10 million estate of Gabriel Owens (pictured), an Oregon man accused of drunken manslaughter in the death of a driver he allegedly killed while high on pills.
Owens had several previous convictions, including a 2019 felony for aggravated intimidation, a 2014 drunken driving offense and dozens of traffic violations.
His demons continued after the trial, as a police report revealed that Owens told police he bought hundreds of fentanyl pills for $1 each in downtown Portland six weeks before the crash.
“It's incredibly dangerous, every time I take one I get scared,” he told officers at the scene of the accident. The Oregonian.
He claimed he had not taken fentanyl the day of the crash, but had consumed alcoholic “buzzballs” the night before.
However, authorities who questioned him noted that he stumbled over his words and showed “obvious” signs of impairment.
Owens provided a blood sample that tested positive for fentanyl and the sedative benzodiazepines, as well as trace amounts of alcohol.
According to a police report, Owens shouted, “I'll see you in hell!” to his mother, who had shown up at the scene of the crash.
The money from the civil suit meant Owens was able to post $250,000 bail after he was charged in Haston's death.
Kyle Haston, the brother of Kira Haston (pictured), is considering filing a lawsuit against Owens' estate
On September 8 around 1 p.m., police officers found Owens and his 2022 Tesla sedan — legally retrofitted, as Owens was paralyzed — when it collided head-on with Kira Haston's 2005 Mazda.
He was awarded his riches in a 2022 civil lawsuit after being injured in a mountain bike accident on Mount Hood. His spine broke below the navel while riding a double black diamond course in 2016
The money from the civil suit meant Owens was able to post $250,000 bail after he was charged in Haston's death
Owens later hired a “24/7 sober companion” to follow pretrial rules after he missed a check-in with the county and prosecutors tried to put him back in jail.
A judge allowed him to remain free after imposing more release conditions on him amid news that Owens was hospitalized due to an infection.
His death now leads to a battle over his estate, as Owens had no children and no will.
Kyle Haston's attorney, Jon Friedman, says at least half of the $10.5 million is still in an Owens brokerage account.
The manslaughter case against Owens has now been closed following his death.
Hasten is considering a wrongful death lawsuit against Owens' estate after his death.
“It's a tragic story for both families,” Hasten said.
“I'm glad he removed himself from the streets of Clackamas County for everyone's safety. But it came at such a high cost.”