A man has died of injuries sustained in an October crash that also left two Portland Police Officers injured.
On Friday, October 6, 2023 at 2:57a.m., East Precinct officers were dispatched to a report of a burglary at a book store in the 16400 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard. Responding officers located a suspect vehicle, a white 2016 Kia Optima, leaving the scene and initiated a police stop near Southeast 136th Avenue and Southeast Holgate Boulevard. The driver did not pull over and eluded police. Due to policy restrictions, officers did not pursue, but began to coordinate intervention techniques. At 3:15a.m., the suspect vehicle and a police vehicle collided at Southeast Holgate Boulevard at Southeast 111th Avenue.
Two officers, a Field Training Officer and a Trainee Officer, were in the 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility (a sport utility crossover) and were injured. Both were transported to the hospital by ambulance. Both officers have returned to duty, although the trainee officer is on modified duty as he continues to recover from his injuries. The Kia had been reported stolen out of a Southeast Portland driveway on Thursday, October 5, 2023.
“This was a terrible crash, and I’m grateful that the officers involved were not hurt worse,” said Chief Chuck Lovell. “This underscores the dangerous nature of policework, and I’m extending my gratitude to our patrol division, which works in our community every day and every night dedicated to public service. I wish these officers a speedy recovery. I offer sincere thanks to all the PPB members who responded to assist and investigate the crash as well as the paramedics, firefighters, and hospital medical staff for their care of our members.”
