Centennial biker struck and killed by car

Find out why officials say they think this nighttime fatality wasn’t necessarily the driver’s fault …

A police car blocks SE 148^th Avenue just north of SE Mill Street, while the deadly bicycle-car collision is investigated.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A bicyclist who collided with a vehicle was fatally injured in the Centennial Neighborhood on September 30, at about 9:00 p.m., along SE 148th Avenue near SE Mill Street.

“Cars drive pretty fast down our street,” neighbor Ross DeMaio told East Portland News, as he watched the investigation unfold.

“But, I can’t tell you how many times I see bike riders taking crazy chances along here,” DeMaio added. “Some of them weave in and out of the cars, or make quick turns – almost, it’s like a game with them.”

Officers and investigators collect evidence concerning the fatal collision that closes SE 148^th Avenue.

“An AMR ambulance and Portland Fire & Rescue both responded to the scene,” reported Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Public Information Officer Sgt. Peter Simpson, an hour after the crash.

“We have learned the adult male bicyclist has died of injuries sustained in the crash,” Simpson continued. “The driver of the car has remained on-scene, and is cooperating with investigators.”

An investigator with the PPB Traffic Division Major Crash Team heads back to their new van.

In addition to PPB East Precinct officers at the outer East Portland scene, the bureau’s Traffic Division Major Crash Team also responded to conduct an investigation.

“The driver of the vehicle has not been charged, at this time,” Simpson followed up a few days later. “It appears that bicyclist may have been under the influence of alcohol.”

Officers wait while Major Crash Team investigators gather evidence.

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