Motorcyclist dies crashing into car in Parkrose Heights

UPDATED | Here’s what’s know about this deadly outer East Portland smashup – the 13th traffic-related fatality of the year in Portland …

Members of the Portland Police Traffic Division Major Crash Team are called in to investigate the crash between a motorcycle and a vehicle.

By David F. Ashton

The collision between a van and a motorcycle killed the rider on February 14 on NE 111th near Eugene Street, in the Parkrose Heights neighborhood.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers who were dispatched to this “Crash-with-Injury” at 4:24 p.m. quickly determined where a vehicle and the motorcycle had crashed.

The area where the accident took place is cordoned off while the investigation is underway. Courtesy of KPTV FOX 12 News.

Officers found that the motorcycle rider was dead in the street.

Eight officers from the PPB’s Traffic Division Major Crash Team were called to investigate. During that, NE 111th Avenue was closed between NE Thompson and Tillamook Streets well into the evening hours.

UPDATE
Preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of a 2018 Dodge Caravan was turning from eastbound on NE Eugene Street to northbound on 111th Avenue. The operator of a 2001 Yamaha southbound on NE 111th Avenue at a speed well above the posted 20 mph speed limit, a PPB spokesperson told reporters after the on-site investigation had concluded.

The driver of the Dodge Caravan remained and cooperated with the investigation.

This is where the motorcycle broadsided a Dodge Caravan.

Investigators reports indicate that the motorcycle’s driver appeared to apply brakes, lost control, crashed, and slid under the minivan. The van was lifted with jacks by Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters/paramedics an effort to get to him for medical treatment, but he was deceased.

On February 17, officials identified the motorcycle’s driver as 38-year-old Jeremy T. Bankston.

This crash investigation continues, into the night, in the rain.

If you have information about this crash and have not already spoken to police, e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn: Traffic Investigations Unit and refer to Case No. 24-37199.

This is already the 12th traffic-related fatality this year – falling short of the aspirations of the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Vision Zero program.

Comments are closed.