Grim wreck closes NE Glisan; victims survive

See why both the onlookers and the police say they’re amazed no one was killed in this violent smashup in the Hazelwood neighborhood …

Emergency responders untangle wreckage after a grinding head-on crash in outer East Portland.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

After two SUVs collided along NE Glisan Street, just west of NE 136^th Avenue on March 12 at 5:36 p.m., a cadre of emergency responders converged on the scene.

“It’s hard to believe anyone survived, especially in the minivan,” said neighbor Bert Fabulaun, as he looked at the wreckage just outside his front door.

For hours, NE Glisan Street was closed while firefighters rescued victims and officers began to sort out the crash.

Initially, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Traffic Division officers believed that three vehicles might be involved in the wreck – but it turned out to be just two: A burgundy Ford Eddie Bauer Edition Explorer, and a Honda Odyssey minivan.

Crews from Portland Fire & Rescue Mill Park Station 7’s Engine and Ladder Truck companies were called in, as well as well as Engine 30 from the Gateway station, and “Quint 2” (a combined engine and ladder truck rig) from Parkrose Training Station 2.

With the crash victims removed and on their way to area hospitals, the Honda, carefully dissected by firefighters for the extraction, remains.

The nearly head-on crash trapped several passengers in the Honda, so firefighters pulled out the “heavy rescue apparatus” from their trucks – the powerful Holmatro Extrication tools – to cut the vehicle apart and free a female victim.

“Based on preliminary information, the Honda, with three occupants, was traveling eastbound on NE Glisan Street,” reported PPB Public Information Officer Lieutenant Tina Jones.

“The Ford Explorer was traveling westbound, crossed the center line, and hit the Honda,” Jones told East Portland News. “Everyone involved was injured to some degree, but none of the injuries were determined to be life threatening.”

Officials say the driver of the Ford SUV, who crossed the center line and crashed into the Honda, had a suspended license.

“Traffic Division investigators conducted an investigation, and the Ford’s driver was cited for ‘Failing to Drive Within Lane’; and ‘Driving while Suspended’,” Jones said.

Stay alert when driving – especially during the first few weeks of Daylight Savings Time.

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