Discover why investigators keep returning to the same outer East Portland streets for deadly and critical‑injury collisions …
First in Hazelwood, then in Centennial, and finally in Argay Terrace, Portland Police Bureau traffic investigators respond to back‑to‑back serious crashes on East Portland streets.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A deadly pedestrian collision in Hazelwood, a critical‑injury crash in Centennial, and a fatal motorcycle wreck in Argay Terrace repeatedly brought the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Major Crash Team to East Portland streets over three nights this week.
In each case, officers closed major streets for hours, while specially-trained investigators documented evidence and worked to determine what led up to the crashes.
Here’s how the three incidents unfolded in outer East Portland.
Sunday, July 12, 2026 – 1:42 a.m.
Pedestrian killed on SE Stark Street in Hazelwood
In Hazelwood, the PPB Major Crash Team documents the scene where a pedestrian is struck and killed on SE Stark Street.
On Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 1:42 a.m., Portland Police officers assigned to East Precinct responded to a report of a crash at SE Stark Street and 139th Avenue in the Hazelwood neighborhood.
When officers arrived, they found an adult male pedestrian deceased at the scene. The involved driver stayed at the crash site and cooperated with officers and investigators.
Because of the fatality, PPB’s Traffic Division Major Crash Team responded to conduct a full reconstruction and evidence survey. During the investigation, SE Stark Street was closed between. 138th and 143rd Avenues to all traffic for several hours.
If you have information, and haven’t yet spoken with investigators about this incident, use the PPB Contact Page or e‑mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, and refer to Case No. 26-201822.
Monday, July 13, 2026 – 9:19 p.m.
Pedestrian in critical condition after crash in Centennial
PPB’s Major Crash Team responds in Centennial to investigate a pedestrian struck, and in critical condition, on SE 148th Avenue.
On Monday, July 13, 2026 at 9:19 p.m., East Precinct officers were dispatched to a pedestrian‑involved crash on SE 148th Avenue near Main Street in the Centennial neighborhood.
Officers arrived to find a pedestrian badly injured in the roadway. Ambulance paramedics took the patient to a local hospital, where the pedestrian remained in critical condition. The involved driver stayed at the crash scene and cooperated with the investigation.
In Centennial, an ambulance prepares to pull away to rush the critically injured pedestrian to a hospital.
Given the severity of the victim’s injuries, the Major Crash Team responded to investigate and document the scene. Investigators had not released information about the cause of the crash at the time of this publication.
SE 148th Avenue was closed between Main Street and Market Street for several hours while officers and crash‑reconstruction specialists worked in the area.
If you have information, and haven’t yet spoken with investigators about this crash, use the PPB Contact Page or e‑mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, and refer to Case No. 26-203578.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 – 8:36 p.m.
Motorcyclist dies in single‑vehicle crash on NE Airport Way
In the Argay Terrace neighborhood, NE Airport Way at 138th Avenue is closed while investigators document a fatal motorcycle crash.
On Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 8:36 p.m., North Precinct officers were called to a single‑vehicle crash in the Argay Terrace neighborhood on NE Airport Way at 138th Avenue involving a motorcycle.
This marked at least the third consecutive year with a fatal crash on this particular stretch of Airport Way. East Portland News previously covered deadly wrecks here in November 2024 and December 2025:
Driver of speeding truck dies in violent crash on N. E. Airport Way [CLICK HERE to read]
Motorcyclist dies in crash with semi in Parkrose on N. E. Airport Way [CLICK HERE to read]
Evidence markers at the scene suggest the motorcycle may have struck a fire hydrant or light pole during the fatal smashup.
When officers and AMR paramedics arrived at the new crash, they found the motorcyclist dead. No other vehicles were involved in the mishap.
The wrecked motorcycle lay on its side in the westbound lanes of NE Airport Way, while the rider appeared to have landed on the parking strip north of the wreck. Evidence markers pointed to the possibility that the motorcycle had struck a fire hydrant or a light pole in the crash.
The Major Crash Team’s FARO reconstruction unit scans the area, documenting the scene near the downed motorcycle.
Investigators focused on the eastern portion of the location, at a driveway abutment near the end of a long curve of the roadway, suggesting they were examining whether the motorcycle might have “drifted wide” before impact.
The Major Crash Team again responded to handle the investigation, which remains ongoing. NE Airport Way was closed between 138th and 148th Avenues, and remained shut down for several hours while investigators documented the scene and cleared the wreckage.
A PPB Forensics Unit specialist takes photos at the eastern edge of the crash scene.
At the time of this report, no additional official details about contributing factors or circumstances in the fatal incident had been released.
If you have information, and haven’t yet spoken with investigators about this crash, use the PPB Contact Page or e‑mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, and refer to Case No. 26-204576.
Back‑to‑back crashes renew concern over safety in East Portland
Across three nights, these collisions left two people dead and another in critical condition, and they again put a spotlight on the risks facing people walking and riding in East Portland.
As PPB crash investigators sort through physical evidence and witness accounts, families and neighbors along these corridors are left waiting for answers about what led to each impact.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
