Pedestrian, dogs die in odd Lents crash

INCLUDES CRASH INVESTIGATION VIDEO | Looking at the scene, just how this outer East Portland deadly crash happened is still a mystery. Here’s what we’ve learned …

SE Holgate Boulevard is shut down between 96th and 104th Avenues for the better part of a Sunday, as Portland Police Major Crash Team officers investigate an accident that killed a pedestrian, and their two dogs.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Trying to make sense of the crash scene on Saturday morning, July 16, in the Lents neighborhood, proved very difficult. It took oplace at SE Holgate Boulevard and 100th Avenue.

As we studied the area where a pedestrian was killed, looking to the north, east, and the west provided no clues about how this deadly collision actually took place.

It’s a mystery how this Honda sustained severe rear-end damage.

When a car hits and kills a pedestrian, it sustains front-end damage. There is no such damage on this Honda.

At 7:27 a.m., Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers were dispatched to this intersection – it’s a marked crossing, and includes a pedestrian island.

The rear tires of an eastbound facing Honda sedan were on the eastern end of the pedestrian island. Although it showed no front end damage whatsoever, its rear end looked as if it had been hit at high speed by a large vehicle.

PPB Major Crash Team officers set up their FARO Accident Reconstruction Unit as this investigation gets underway.

Even more puzzling, no other vehicle with front end damage was at the scene.

The deceased pedestrian, and two deceased dogs, were found just off the street to the northeast of the intersection.

Officers collect evidence, and mark the pavement as they document what they’ve found at the crash site.

The PPB Office of Public Information was able to shed very little light on this tragic incident.

“Officers located a crash that involved two vehicles and a pedestrian. Paramedics responded as well and determined the pedestrian was deceased,” the statement read.

Watch as PPB Crash Investigators try to make sense of this puzzling crash scene:

“Officers learned that the driver of one of the vehicles ran away on foot,” a police official wrote. “They tried to find the driver but were not immediately successful,” the statement continued.

This investigation goes on for the better part of a day.

The driver of the other involved vehicle had minor injuries.

How were the two vehicles involved in the tragedy?
What happened to the back of the Honda?
How did the victims end up at the side of the intersection?

If you can shed any light on this fatal crash, contact crimetips@portlandoregon.gov, attention Traffic Investigations Unit, and reference Case No. 22-190280. Or call (503) 823-2103.

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