Head-on Centennial crash injures three

Officials blame a seriously impaired driver for this crash. There wasn’t a fatality, but officials say this outer East Portland head-on smashup did cause serious injuries …

Officers watch as occupants, cut out of vehicles after a head-on smash in the Centennial neighborhood, are taken to ambulances.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Impairment, speed, and aggressive driving were called “significant factors” in the crash on October 30 at the intersection of SE Powell Boulevard at 145th Avenue, according to Portland Police Bureau Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen.

PPB East Precinct officers were dispatched to the crash 9:19 p.m., and found a Chrysler SUV and a Subaru Legacy wagon involved in a head-on collision.

Firefighters and paramedics from Portland Fire & Rescue and AMR arrived for on-scene medical care, and transported three patients to the hospital by ambulance. “The adult male driver, and only occupant, of the Chrysler had severe, life-threatening injuries; the adult female driver and adult female passenger of the Subaru were seriously hurt,” Allen reported. “Currently the Subaru driver is listed in critical condition, and the passenger is in serious condition.”

The PPB Major Crash Team van arrives at the wreck.

As the crash inquiry unfolded, investigators learned that the Chrysler SUV had been seen by officers speeding eastbound on SE Powell Boulevard near 136th Avenue. “The officers also saw the vehicle run a red light,” Allen revealed. “Due to the dangerous driving, the officers were attempting to catch up to the vehicle to conduct a traffic stop – however, they had not activated their police lights to initiate a stop yet, when they came across the crash at SE 145th Avenue.”

The preliminary investigation report indicates that the driver of the Chrysler had crossed the center line and rammed the westbound Subaru head-on.

Shortly before that final crash, investigators believe that the driver of the Chrysler also struck four other vehicles; three were in a parking lot, and one was on SE Powell Boulevard. No injuries were reported in those crashes.

Looking at what remains of the two vehicles, it’s surprising that the occupants weren’t killed. Courtesy of KATU ABC 2

At this time, the investigation is continuing, and no one has yet been arrested or cited, so no names are yet being released. If anyone has information about this crash, however, please contact primary investigator Officer Garrett Dow at Garrett.Dow@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5070. The case number is 20-327471.

This is the 42nd Major Crash Team Activation for 2020.

© 2020 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™

 

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