And, police are looking for the hit-and-run driver who left him dying by the side of the road …
Emergency first responders race to SE 82nd Avenue of Roses at Flavel Street, when a man staying at a Lents neighborhood motel is struck and thrown by a car.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
About an hour before dawn on Friday, May 5, a man died in the darkness while attempting to cross SE 82nd Avenue of Roses.
Witnesses said the victim was staying at the Del Rancho Motel, and was crossing SE 82nd Avenue of Roses, heading toward the 7-Eleven Store on the corner at Flavel Street – but was not in the crosswalk, when the accident occurred at 4:33 a.m.
A bystander told police the victim was hit in the street, and the force of the impact catapulted him to the west side of the road, partially on the sidewalk, as the car that hit him then sped off southbound on the avenue.
“Officers and medical personnel arrived and found a male suffering from traumatic injuries lying on the sidewalk,” confirmed Portland Police Bureau Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson. “The involved driver left the scene.”
SE 82nd Avenue of Roses is closed while police begin their investigation of this deadly crash.
SE 82nd Avenue of Roses was closed off to traffic in both directions, from Flavel to Malden Streets, while the PPB Traffic Division Major Crash Team investigated the incident.
“Based on information learned at the scene, officers are looking for a smaller gray or dark gray sedan. The suspect vehicle was possibly followed by a red pick-up truck being driven by a potential witness,” Simpson said.
The victim, transported by ambulance to a Portland hospital for treatment to life-threatening injuries, died at the hospital, Simpson revealed later that day.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Chris Johnson at 503-823-2213, chris.johnson@portlandoregon.gov.
© 2017 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
click here to subscribe
