Klamath Falls man charged with Criminal Negligent Homicide after crash that killed a motorcyclist

Arrested: Mark Wade Sardo (DOB: 4/14/1961)
Charged: Criminal Negligent Homicide
(Image: KSCO)

The following is a press release from the Klamath Falls Police Department.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On Sunday, February 7th, 2021, at 2: 29P.M, officers with the Klamath Falls Police Department responded to Main Street and South 5th Street in Klamath Falls, regarding a report of a crash involving a truck and motorcycle. The initial report indicated the rider of the motorcycle was down and appeared to be injured.

When officers arrived, they found 68-year-old John Manuel Sarabia, lying on the ground next to a motorcycle. Officers rendered aid until medical personnel arrived. Several minutes later, Sarabina was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2000 Dodge Dakota pickup was traveling southbound on Main Street. The Dodge Dakota proceeded through the intersection of Main Street and South 5th Street, when Sarabia’s motorcycle impacted the passenger front door of the Dodge pickup. The driver of the Dodge Dakota was identified as 59-year-old Mark Wade Sardo. Sardo was uninjured and remained on scene until law enforcement arrived.

Through the course of the investigation, and chemical analysis of evidence at a state crime lab, which was prolonged due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was determined Sardo had been operating his vehicle while under the influence of narcotics at the time of the incident. The information was sent to the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of prosecution.

In late September 2021, the case was presented to the Klamath County Grand Jury. On September 25th, 2021, Mark Sardo was contacted by law enforcement and arrested on a secret inditement warrant for Criminal Negligent Homicide.

Arrested: Mark Wade Sardo (DOB: 4/14/1961)
Charged: Criminal Negligent Homicide