Two struck by cars, in two days, on 122nd Ave.

See what these two unrelated crashes in the Midway district, near Division Street, involving a pedestrian and a bicyclist, have in common …

A woman was struck and seriously injured crossing at this outer East Portland intersection in the Hazelwood neighborhood. The driver was a young man, who then sped off in his BMW.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers and their Traffic Division’s Major Crash Team were called to the area of SE 122^nd Avenue and Division Street early on June 20, and again in the evening of June 21. The first time was when a pedestrian was struck by a BMW sedan, and the second was when a bicyclist was run down by a vehicle.

In the first incident on June 20, at 5:02 a.m., 70-year-old Linda Babcock was on her way to work at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office when she was struck by a car, and the driver sped away from the scene.

“PPB Traffic officers learned that a man, later identified as 25-year-old Weifu Ma, was driving his BMW eastbound on SE Division Street when he struck Babcock, who was crossing SE Division Street from the southwest corner to the northwest corner of SE 122nd Avenue and Division Street,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Chris Burley.

With her walker left behind, the woman struck down is taken to a hospital, suffering from a broken hip and scratches.

“A witness stated Babcock was inside the crosswalk and had the ‘walk’ signal as she crossed the roadway with her walker,” Burley added.

A witness, driving another vehicle called the 9-1-1 Center and pursued Ma, giving police updates as he followed the BMW through the Hazelwood and into the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.

“Near the intersection of SE 130th Place and Mitchell Court, Ma collided with the witness’ vehicle, in an attempt to flee the area; but, officers moved in and took Ma into custody,” Burley said.

25-year-old Weifu Ma is arrested on multiple charges, including a felony, but was released later that day on his own recognizance – the same day, after paying no bail.

Weifu Ma was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center at 9:05 a.m. that morning on charges of Felony Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver, Reckless Driving, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

After his arraignment in Multnomah County Court, the judge released Ma without bail. Reason given: Released on Own Recognizance, Pretrial Supervision.

Babcock is still in the hospital, recovering from a broken hip and gashes to her face, her son-in-law told reporters.

Tipsy bicyclist rider critically injured

SE 122nd Avenue is closed to all traffic, after a bicyclist is struck and seriously injured by a vehicle.

The following day, June 21, PPB East Precinct and Traffic Division officers were called to SE 122nd Avenue near Sherman Street – a long block north of SE Division Street – to a traffic crash involving a driver and a bicycle rider.

“Officers and medical personnel located the injured bicycle rider and the involved driver; the bicycle rider has been transported to a Portland hospital with traumatic injuries,” reported PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.

Witnesses tell an officer what they saw; the bicyclist’s personal items were lying on the street.

“Investigators learned that both the bicycle rider, 35-year-old Abdikadir Ahmed Omar, and the vehicle, were traveling southbound on 122nd Avenue.

“Omar veered out of the bike lane and collided with the vehicle, causing him to crash,” Simpson said. “Omar was not wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the crash; and, investigators determined that Omar was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.”

An officer looks over this vehicle that witnesses say was involved in the accident.

Omar, who remains in a Portland hospital in serious condition with head injuries, may be issued traffic and/or criminal citations once the investigation is complete, Simpson commented. However, the driver he collided with was not off the hook.

The driver, 33-year-old Nicolette Ivy Duffus of Northeast Portland, remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

Nonetheless, “Duffus was issued traffic citations for Driving While Suspended, Driving Uninsured, and Failure to Register a Vehicle,” Simpson said.

At least that crash was not a hit-and-run.

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