Both crashes were on January 29th, both in the Hazelwood neighborhood. Investigators haven’t said why a man was hit in the traffic lanes; but in the other incident, officials are clear about why the PPB Sergeant’s cruiser was rear-ended …
In the Hazelwood neighborhood, two crashes – 19 hours apart – bring out Portland Police Bureau officers to investigate.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Again this week, another person was added to the alarmingly long list of persons killed in the City of Portland so far this year. The tally is now nine – all within the first month of 2022.
Those at the Portland Bureau of Transportation in its “Vision Zero” program are perhaps wondering if, at this rate, the tally will surpass the 63 crash-related deaths in 2021.
>> More about this tragic traffic fatality that took place in the evening hours of January 29. But first, here’s what’s been learned about a bizarre wreck in the wee hours of that day …
DWII driver smashes into police cruiser
Near East Burnside Street, a reportedly DWII driver slams into the back of a parked PPB Supervisor’s cruiser. PPB image
Incidents during the hours past midnight on January 29 were damaging to Portland Police Bureau (PPB) vehicles on patrol in the Hazelwood neighborhood.
About 1:30 a.m., a PPB cruiser was struck by a vehicle – and then the driver took off, leaving the police car disabled on NE 102nd Avenue at East Burnside Street. A PPB sergeant came to the scene and began to investigate this wreck a little after 2 a.m.
It appears this impaired driver didn’t notice the bright red-and-blue strobing emergency lights, and drove into the back of the PPB sergeant’s car. Courtesy KPTV Fox News 12
“While investigating this crash, the Supervisor’s car was rear-ended by yet another vehicle,” was the word put out by another PPB sergeant.
“That driver attempted to flee on foot,” the official said. However the man didn’t get far before officers took him into custody.
It is unclear if anyone was injured in the crash; and the PPB has not released the name of the driver.
Pedestrian killed while crossing SE Division Street
SE Division Street is closed to traffic after a pedestrian is fatally run down in the street.
Portland’s 9th traffic fatality of 2022 – and the 5th casualty involving a pedestrian – ensued later on January 29th along SE Division Street near the intersection of 101th Avenue, also on the Hazelwood neighborhood.
At 9:13 p.m., PPB officers and emergency medical first-responders were dispatched to where a pedestrian was reportedly crossing SE Division Street when he was struck by a vehicle.
“Upon their arrival, officers and paramedics that discovered the pedestrian had died as the result of that accident,” a PPB spokesperson revealed.
For hours into the night, SE Division Street was closed east of the I-205 Freeway, from 101st Avenue to 103rd Avenue, as the PPB’s Major Crash Team began their investigation.
Members of the PPB Major Crash Team begin the investigation of this fatal pedestrian accident.
The involved driver remained at the scene, and so far police have not said whether or not they are holding the driver responsible for the fatality.
On January 31, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office divulged the name of the deceased as 56-year-old Duane M. Davidson.
If you have information about the incident, please contact call (503) 823-2103 or send an email to crimetips@portlandoregon.gov, attention Traffic Investigations Unit, and reference Case No. 22-27598.
© 2022 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News ™
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