Two killed in separate outer East Portland traffic crashes

Learn what happened on Friday night’s smashup in Powellhurst-Gilbert that closed SE 122nd Avenue for hours. Meantime, a driver fleeing from a traffic stop on Monday night crashed – and died in the wreck – In Argay Terrace …

The Portland Police Bureau’s Major Crash Team was called to investigate two fatal incidents this week – one in Powellhurst-Gilbert, and another in Argay Terrace.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Two separate East Portland motor vehicle crashes proved fatal this past week.

In Powellhurst-Gilbert, an e-scooter collided with a mini-motorcycle, leaving one dead. And, a police traffic stop in Parkrose ended with a crash, killing the driver, in Argay Terrace …

January 2
Crash of e-scooter and mini-motorcycle leaves cycle rider dead in Powellhurst-Gilbert street

Officers block off SE 122nd Avenue between Division Street and Powell Boulevard, as the investigation gets underway.

There was an unusual motor vehicle accident along SE 122nd Avenue in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood on Friday, January 2 – the collision wasn’t between cars, trucks, or busses.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers were dispatched to this “Injury Accident’ \just after dark at SE 122nd Avenue and Tibbetts Street.

The investigation into this unusual by tragic crash continues.

There, officers found a crash involving a gasoline-powered mini-motorcycle and an e-scooter. Portland Fire & Rescue confirmed that the motorcyclist died at the scene. The driver of the e-scooter was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

As the PPB’s Major Crash Team arrived to investigate, officers blocked off SE 122nd Avenue is closed between Division Street and Powell Boulevard.

Later, on January 6, a PPB official revealed, “The preliminary investigation has revealed a man riding an e-scooter was traveling southbound in the northbound bike lane – when he collided with a gasoline powered mini-motorcycle traveling northbound – in the opposite direction, but with the flow of traffic – in the same bike lane, when they collided.

“Both individuals were wearing helmets; it is not believed impairment was a factor in the crash,” the statement continued.

Looking south, SE 1222nd Avenue is closed at the Division Center Crossing shopping center. Courtesy KGW-TV News 8

The Portland Police spokesperson identified the deceased mini-motorcycle rider as 66-year-old Stephen W. Hicks.

If you have information about this crash, and have not already spoken to police, e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, Attn: TIU, and refer to Case Number 26-1563.

January 5
Man dies in fiery smashup while eluding police in Argay Terrace

Portland Police come to the scene where a fleeing driver crashed.

This fatal crash had its origin on Monday, January 5, at 11:21 p.m., as an attempted “traffic stop” by a Port of Portland officer along NE Prescott Street near 116th Avenue – along the northwest edge of the Parkrose High School Campus.

Instead of pulling over, the driver stepped on the gas and sped away. According to PPB information, officers did not pursue the vehicle, but continued to monitor its direction of travel, and relayed updates over the radio.

“Running dark” – with headlights turned off – the fleeing driver headed south on NE 112th Avenue, and turned east on Fremont Street, just north of the I-205 Freeway, and crossed NE 122nd Avenue.

Shortly afterward, the Bureau of Emergency Communications received a call from a neighbor reporting a vehicle on fire near the intersection of NE 124th Avenue and Fremont Street – just 0.9 miles from where the incident began. It was identified by arriving officers as the vehicle that had sped away from the traffic stop.

The Portland Police Bureau Major Crash Team sets up to document this crash.

The vehicle crashed after striking a parked car, and subsequently caught fire. Officers found that the diver had been ejected from the vehicle and was still lying close to it. Officers quickly moved the driver away from the burning vehicle, and attempted life-saving measures – however, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Again, the PPB’s Major Crash Team investigated the incident.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to email to crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, and tell them it’s Case Number 26-4796.

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