Buchler v. Oregon Corrections Div.

*502FADELEY, J.

In these neghgence actions, plaintiffs seek damages from the state for harm caused by a state prisoner who escaped from custody. The prisoner was a convicted felon, placed by the Corrections Division as a member of a work crew of a forest camp in a remote rural area. He left the work site without permission by taking and driving away the state’s van, in which the ignition keys had been left by the crew supervisor. Defendant state advised the Tillamook County Sheriff and the Oregon State Police of the escape.

Two days later and 50 miles from the point of escape in the van, the…