Cyclists collide, sending both riders to hospital

Take a look at this unusual story: a motorcycle rider who crashes into a bicyclist … on a bike path …

Police say the rider of this Harley Davidson Sportster hopped a jersey barrier before colliding with a bicycle rider whose bike is in the background.

By David F. Ashton; photos by Desmond Moore
It’s not often Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers are called to the scene of an accident where a bicyclist was struck down – by a motorcycle – on a bike path.

But, that’s exactly what happened, said PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson on June 22 when PPB East Precinct officers were called to the scene at 1:29 a.m.

Portland Fire & Rescue paramedic/firefighters stabilize the medical condition of the bicycle crash victim.

Arriving at the bike path at NE Glisan Street over I-205, officers and medical personnel arrived and found two injured people just North of NE Glisan St. “Both the motorcycle and the bicycle were heavily damaged. Both people were transported to an area hospital for treatment to non-life-threatening injuries,” Simpson said.

“Officers learned that the motorcycle rider, 28-year-old Ashley Cameron Benbrook, was riding his 2002 Harley Davidson Sportster X88 northbound on I-205,” stated Simpson. “He took the Glisan Street off-ramp at an estimated speed of 60-70 mile per hour.”

As he reached the intersection of NE Glisan St. and the on-ramp/off-ramp to the freeway, Benbrook lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the barrier between the on-ramp and the bike path, which is on the eastside of the freeway, Simpson added.

One of the victims is carried on a backboard, ready to be transported to the hospital.

“Benbrook and his motorcycle crashed over the barrier and hit a 34-year-old man, who was riding his bicycle southbound on the bike path,” Simpson said.

At the hospital, it was determined that Benbrook had a blood alcohol content of .094, the police spokesman continued. “Because he was in the hospital, Benbrook was given citations for DUII, Reckless Driving, Violation of Maximum Speed, and Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.”

Comments are closed.