Driver killed while fleeing an accident in Lents

Here’s why an outer East Portland street was closed Sunday evening, just east of a TriMet MAX station …

Police close off SE Flavel Street while they investigate a crash in the Lents neighborhood that, tragically, proved fatal.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

When two crashes were reported near SE 92^nd Avenue and Flavel Street, just before 9:00 p.m. on June 7, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers came to investigate.

Immediately the officers activated the PPB Major Crash Team, and closed off SE Flavel Street, where it turns into Mt. Scott Boulevard, near Knapp Street.

The Portland Police Traffic Division Major Crash Team van arrives as the scene.

“Responding officers learned a vehicle traveling northbound on SE 92nd Avenue rear-ended another vehicle at Flavel Street,” explained PPB Public Information Officer Melissa Newhard. “The vehicle suspected of rear-ending the other vehicle turned eastbound on SE Mt. Scott Boulevard, traveling at a high rate of speed.

“As the vehicle neared SE Knapp Street, it struck a guard rail, causing the driver to be ejected through the driver’s side window; the driver was confirmed to be deceased,” added Newhard.

Officials say a speeding vehicle crashed into this guard rail, where mourners left a balloon memorial, just east of the Interstate 205 viaduct, next to Johnson Creek.

While Newhard said the Bureau would release information “as investigators learn more”, nothing more about the crash has been revealed, other than it “remains under investigation”.

If anyone witnessed the crash or has information about it, please contact Officer David Enz at David.Enz@portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-2208

Comments are closed.