Phillip Andryushin could have easily killed someone when he and two friends hurled stones and a cinder block off an overpass in Fairview a year ago.
Luckily for him — and the drivers down below on Interstate 84 — that didn’t happen.
Multnomah County prosecutors said the punishment handed down to Andryushin on Monday was designed to hold the now 20-year-old accountable but also leave room for him to put his life on a better path.
“I want Mr. Andryushin to leave this courtroom today and never come back,” Deputy District Attorney Jesse Hoffman said. “If something like this happens again, the state will pursue prison, because this behavior was totally unacceptable.”
Circuit Judge Christopher Ramras sentenced Andryushin to 30 days in jail, 80 hours of community service, three years’ probation and roughly $13,000 in restitution to repay drivers for their damaged vehicles.
Andryushin, who lives in Vancouver, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mischief and two counts of reckless endangerment.
Ramras allowed Andryushin to serve his time on weekends so he can hold down a job as a delivery driver and pay back what he owes.
Two minors were also arrested by Multnomah County sheriff’s deputies during the June 2023 incident. It’s not clear what happened in those cases. A court spokesperson said she was unable to immediately locate their case files.
The majority of Andryushin’s restitution, $10,000, is destined for Robert Carlson. He was driving his Ford pickup on the interstate when the passenger’s side windshield and roof suddenly crumpled. Carlson’s car was out of commission for months, but during the hearing, he said he forgave Andryushin.
“I don’t want this thing that he chose to do a year ago to define him for the rest of his life,” Carlson said. “I hope he realizes that all of us need another chance.”
Andryushin declined to speak during court, but after the session adjourned he walked up to Carlson and shook his hand. The two spoke privately. Once Carlson walked away, Andryushin sat down in the courthouse hallway, and his head sank into his hands.
©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit oregonlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
