‘Improper passing’ blamed for Powell Blvd. wreck

A little more patience could have avoid this near-head-on collision, officials say …

This smashup ended with a Ford Ranger pickup truck on its side, in the middle of a Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood intersection.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Many residents drawn to the intersection of SE Powell Boulevard at SE 118th Avenue said they were surprised that no one had been killed, or seriously injured, in a two-car, near-head-on wreck on August 16, at about 5:30 p.m.

Portland Fire & Rescue Lent Station Engine 11 was dispatched to the scene, as was an ambulance.

After colliding with the pickup truck, the Acura Integra spun around – its slide stopped by the bumper of the semi truck tractor.

SE Powell Boulevard was closed to traffic, routing cars around the junction and onto side streets. Officials worked to determine why a red Acura Integra, and a Ford Ranger pickup truck pulling a small utility trailer, was smashed at odd angles in the intersection.

After being pulled out of his pickup by bystanders – the vehicle had come to rest on its driver’s side – the elderly driver started picking up his cargo of cleaning supplies scattered about the area. Three others volunteered to roll the man’s bent utility trailer out of the roadway.

Neighbors at the scene pull the bent utility trailer out of the road.

As a wrecker pulled the Acura forward, a red paint transfer to the drivers-side front bumper of the semi truck tractor became visible. It appeared the driver of the semi had “headed for the shoulder” as the Acura careened toward his truck.

A Portland Police Bureau East Precinct District officer told East Portland News that initial reports indicated that the Acura was eastbound on SE Powell Boulevard. When a car in front of it slowed, the driver of the Acura swerved into oncoming traffic to get around it.

A police officer looks over the battered pickup truck.

The front passenger’s side of the Acura appeared to have struck the front passenger’s side wheel well of the Ranger, snapping off the wheel, and causing the pickup truck to roll onto the driver’s side.

During the wreck, the utility trailer jackknifed into the Ford Ranger pickup truck.

A patient is taken from the scene by ambulance.

One person – it is unclear from which vehicle – was transported from the outer East Portland scene via AMR ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. Citation information is not available at this time.

© 2015 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

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