Aggressive driver dies in head-on crash

See the results of trying to ‘bully’ other drivers – nearly killing the driver of the car he hit, while driving through the Pleasant Valley neighborhood …

The driver died at the scene, after his 2000 Toyota Celica crossed over the center line of SE Foster Road, ramming a SUV head-on.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Officials believe there was no reason for the head-on vehicle crash that killed one person and injured another on SE Foster Road at 158th Avenue – other than just aggressive, and some say reckless, driving.

The grinding, “offset head-on crash” – the vehicles hit driver’s-side to driver’s-side – occurred at 3:22 p.m. on July 21.

This 1998 Toyota 4Runner was hit “offset head-on” – the vehicles collide driver’s-side to driver’s-side.

On this section of SE Foster Road, those who drive it know that it can be challenging, as it bends and curves beside Johnson Creek on the southern area of outer East Portland – all, with little or no shoulder.

A Portland Police Bureau (PPB) sergeant at the scene told East Portland News that investigators learned from witnesses that the driver of the black 2000 Toyota Celica had been “bullying” other drivers — driving aggressively — while eastbound on SE Foster Road.

Using their Total Station crash-surveying gear, PPB Traffic Division officers take the digital measurements and photos that will allow investigators to precisely recreate the scene.

A PPB Traffic Division officer enters a data point into the Total Station crash-surveying system.

“The driver of the Toyota Celica was reportedly tailgating, and failing to maintain his lane,” later confirmed PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.

Near the intersection of SE 158th Avenue of Foster Road, the eastbound Toyota Celica driven by 37-year-old Todd Lane of Aloha reportedly “crossed over the center line, and crashed into the 1998 Toyota 4Runner driven by 54-year-old Kyle Anne Baker of Milwaukie,” Simpson said.

This deadly crash closes this segment of SE Foster Road until near sunset.

“Investigators do not believe speed was a factor in the crash,” Simpson added. “Ms. Baker [the driver of the Toyota 4Runner] was not impaired and cooperated fully with investigators [before being transported for medical care]. [However,] the Oregon State Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy on Mr. Lane, and will send blood samples for toxicology testing, which is expected to take several weeks.”

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