Wasco County commissioner candidate faces DUII, reckless endangerment charges

By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., July 31, 2026 — Wasco County commissioner candidate John Andrew Grant IV was arrested July 21 by the Oregon State Police after investigators alleged he was driving under the influence of intoxicants on Interstate 84 east of Mosier.

According to an Oregon State Police citation, Grant, 38, of The Dalles, was stopped at about 10:55 p.m. on eastbound Interstate 84 near milepost 72 in Wasco County while driving a white 2014 Ford Transit van.

The Wasco County District Attorney's Office has charged Grant with two versions of driving under the influence of intoxicants, six counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count of reckless driving. All nine counts are Class A misdemeanors under Oregon law, according to the charging document filed July 23.

The District Attorney's Information filed in Wasco County Circuit Court alleges Grant endangered two adults and four minors who were in another vehicle.

The two DUII counts reflect separate legal theories for the same alleged offense. One alleges Grant drove while under the influence of intoxicants. The other alleges he had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher within two hours of driving and did not consume alcohol before the chemical test.

The reckless endangerment counts allege Grant created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to the six people in the other vehicle, according to Wasco County Deputy District Attorney Caleb Berthelsen.

The allegations come after Grant advanced to the Nov. 3 general election for Wasco County commissioner after finishing second in the May primary with 2,331 votes, or 33.41% of the vote. In the General he is scheduled to face Lisa Gambee , who led the four-candidate field with 2,883 votes, or 41.33%, after neither candidate received the majority needed to win outright.

Reached by CCCNews on Friday, July 31, Grant declined to discuss the allegations immediately.

"I don't want to give out any type of comment until after my hearing date," Grant said. "It wouldn't be wise for my case to make a statement in public. Afterwards, when I figure out what is going on, then I'll definitely be able to comment."

Deputy District Attorney Berthelsen who is prosecuting the case said DUII is one of the most common criminal offenses prosecuted in Oregon.

"Driving under the influence is the most common crime in America," Berthelsen said. "It's a mistake that many good people make. That's why we have diversions."

Grant's first court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in Wasco County Circuit Court.

As in all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Grant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.