Discover what’s known about a pedestrian run over along Powell Boulevard, and also about the unlicensed wrong-way driver who smashed into an outer East Portland pawn shop …
The Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division’s Major Crash Team investigates what ended up as a fatal pedestrian crash in outer East Portland.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
December 15
Pedestrian struck by vehicle proves fatal in Foster-Powell
After an elderly woman was struck by a vehicle leaving the shopping center at SE Powell Boulevard and 82nd Avenue of Roses, on Sunday, December 15, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers were sent there at exactly 9 a.m.
The seriously-injured victim was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment, and the PPB’s Major Crash Team arrived to investigate. The driver of the involved vehicle stayed at the scene and cooperated with police; officers did not detect any signs of driver impairment.
They didn’t know it at the time, but these Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division Major Crash Team investigators were gathering data about what turned out to be another pedestrian fatality.
On December 16, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner contacted the Major Crash Team, to tell them that the pedestrian, 81-year-old Muoi Te Hua, of Portland had died of the injuries she’d suffered.
If you have information about this crash, and have not already spoken to police about it, please e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn: Traffic Investigations Unit and refer to Case Number 24-319511.
This is the 69th traffic-related fatality in Portland this year, again setting back the objectives of the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Vision Zero program.
December 17
A driver, in reverse, smashes into a Powellhurst-Gilbert pawn shop
Disaster remediation workers begin the job of pulling debris from the front of this well-respected pawn shop, after a cars smashed into it. Courtesy KGW-TV News 8
Just as workers were getting ready to open A-1 Hawk for business on Wednesday morning, December 17, employees heard a thunderous explosion in the front of the store, at 12314 SE Division Street.
The front windows seemed to explode, and the merchandise displayed tumbled onto the sidewalk.
What happened? These store surveillance images, shared with reporters, tell the story:
Surveillance images show this white car, driving backward – actually going west in the eastbound lanes of SE Division Street – before it jumped the concrete bike lane barriers and the curb, and smashed into the store.
Inside, this surveillance image shows glass and debris being blown into the shop as the rear end of the car smashes into the front of the building.
One second later, the front of the store is in shambles.
“No one was injured in the crash, but there was significant damage to the building,” PPB Public Information Manager Mike Brenner said. “The driver declined medical treatment … and did not seem to be impaired.” However, the PPB spokesperson added that the was driver cited for Driving Without a License and Driving Without Insurance.
Inside the store, restoration workers begin the chore of shoring up the structure and preparing to board it up. Courtesy KGW-TV News
The errant driver’s only comment to employees was that his sister was on her way to pick him up.
Although it hasn’t specifically been requested, if you do have any information about this crash, e-mail it to crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov – attn: Traffic Investigations Unit – and make reference to Case Number 24-321208.
By the way, surprisingly, A-1 Hawk is for business business remains open, and workers say they’re eager to help customers with their Holiday shopping!
© 2024 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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