Speeding driver crashes, dies, on Marine Drive

Officials say the deceased driver had been speeding along NE Marine Drive before crashing – across from PDX Airport …

NE Marine Drive is closed off to all – including reporters – as a Portland Fire & Rescue rig is dispatched to the scene of the fatal crash.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

A bit west of Portland International Airport, a man speeding along NE Marine Drive crashed and died on Friday evening, February 24th.

At 8:35 p.m., a Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Deputy reported seeing a vehicle traveling very fast near the 4700 block of Northeast Marine Drive. A short time later, the deputy was notified that the driver had sideswiped a tractor-trailer rig, and his vehicle had rebounded off the road. Portland Police Bureau (PPB) North Precinct officers were dispatched.

An ambulance races to the scene of the crash.

“The driver was found deceased on the north side embankment; however, no one else was injured,” a PPB official reported.

The PPB’s Traffic Division Major Crash Team was also called to the scene to conduct an investigation. Into the evening, NE Marine Drive was completely closed between Northeast 33rd and 122nd Avenue.

On February 28, the PPB reported that the deceased driver had been identified as 54-year-old Robert McIlwain.

If you have information about this incident, please e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, Attention: Traffic Investigations Unit and reference Case No. 23-51097.

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