Elderly driver hits, hits, hits, hits, hits – then crashes

See why onlookers say they’re astonished no one was seriously hurt in this amazing series of accidents …

This utility pole was knocked off kilter, near the start of the unusual chain of accidents.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The multiple-vehicle accident on January 17^th started in the Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood – and ended up in the Foster-Powell neighborhood.

It wasn’t caused the cloud-darkened sky, or by the heavy rain. It might have been that the driver experienced a medical emergency. Nobody is yet sure.

This is one of five cars that were hit – stuck so hard it was spun around 90º from where it had been parked. On the left side is a tree that was also struck – and tire tracks in the grass.

An ambulance was called to the crash scene, but it was later dismissed, after treating those requesting it at the scene.

At a little after 4:30 p.m., 9-1-1 started receiving calls from numerous victims of someone described as a hit-and-run driver in a silver-gray car. When Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers arrived, and began their investigation, they found that these reports weren’t exaggerated.

Starting in the area of SE 72^nd Avenue and SE Foster Road, and heading north, the 2001 gray Dodge Stratus sedan had caromed off five vehicles, two utility poles, a tree, and several street curbs.

This is the car that caused it all, picked up enough speed to end up atop this retaining wall.

“The driver also hit a male juvenile pedestrian, who was not injured,” PPB Public Information Officer Lt. King told East Portland News. “The car ended up in the front yard of a house, stuck on a retaining wall, on the northeast corner of SE 72^nd Avenue and SE Holgate Boulevard.”

The driver, identified as 84-year-old Patricia Knepper, may have had a medical issue, causing her to lose control of her vehicle, King said. “Officers assisted the woman in exchanging information with all involved.”

And, there were a lot of folks to exchange with. But, happily, there were no serious injuries, despite considerable spectacle and a lot of damage.

Officers assisted the woman behind the wheel of the “hit and run juggernaut” in exchanging information with everyone involved.

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