Alleged intoxicated driver hits, hits, hits — and smashes

Driving on a suspended license, see where the motorist who was pursued by police from Powellhurst-Gilbert ended up. And learn why the driver is now facing numerous charges …

The flashing red and blue strobe lights of police cars do not faze an allegedly-impaired driver, who flees from a traffic stop in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

While on patrol, just before 11:00 p.m. on March 26, a Portland Police Bureau East Precinct District officer spotted a maroon Chevy Lumina reportedly failing to maintain a travel lane, and driving erratically.

The officer “lit up” the driver – turning on the patrol car’s flashing red and blue lights – near SE 122nd Avenue and Clinton Street, and signaled for the driver to pull over.

On the way to his final destination, the driver hit multiple objects, including this TriMet bus stop sign.

But, the driver “jack-rabbited” from the attempted traffic stop, and took off, speeding north on SE 122^nd Avenue before heading west on SE Stark Street.

Radio calls from several officers on duty reported seeing the Chevy race past, driving wildly.

After swerving across SE 103^rd Avenue, the driver crashed into a decorative brick wall, in the median at SE 102^nd Avenue.

Reaching the Hazelwood neighborhood, the car careened northbound on SE 103^rd Avenue, bounced off the curb near the Starbucks store, and then took out a TriMet sign clear on the other side of the street. Officers reported that the somewhat-out-of-control car struck at least seven objects along the way – but fortunately, no pedestrians or other cars.

Swerving along SE 103^rd Avenue, the car crashed into a low concrete-block divider wall, south of SE Pine Street, sending bricks and debris flying.

The crew riding Portland Fire & Rescue Truck 7 make sure there is no fire hazard from the smashed car, while police look for evidence at the scene.

“I was surprised by the car crashing like that,” remarked Debora Harrison, who was walking home from the MAX Light Rail stop a block away.

“The driver stumbled out of the car, and kind of started running away, [to the northeast of the crash] toward the [Russelville Park] apartments,” Harrison told East Portland News.

Police collar the suspect, and bring him back to the scene of the crash.

He didn’t get far; within a few minutes, officers had 33-year-old Diamond D Dugas in custody.

Dugas was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 2:53 a.m. on charges of Driving while License Suspended, Interfering with a Police Officer, Reckless Endangering, Reckless Driving, Felony Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Attempt to Elude on Foot, Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle, and two counts of First-degree Criminal Mischief.

Combined bail for these charges totals $47,500.

Officials say 33-year-old Diamond D. Dugas now faces numerous charges. MCDC booking photo

Because he was allegedly Driving while Intoxicated, Dugas also faces a charge that he violated his parole – stemming from one count of First-degree Theft last November.

Court records show that Dugas was “trespassed” from Wells Fargo, Ann Taylor, TJ Maxx, and BiMart, after he pleaded guilty – and was sentenced to ten days in jail June of 2014 after being convicted of a theft valued at nearly $1,000 from TJ Maxx.

Dugas was arraigned on March 27, and remains in custody at the MCDC.

Comments are closed.