PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A high-speed police pursuit in Southeast Portland ended in tragedy early Friday morning when a driver crashed into a utility pole and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Reckless Driving Leads to Police Pursuit
According to the Portland Police Bureau, the incident began just before 3:00 a.m. when officers spotted two vehicles driving recklessly near Southeast 119th Avenue. When police attempted to pull them over, both drivers fled the scene, initiating a brief pursuit.
Fatal Crash on Southeast Division Street
A short time later, officers discovered one of the fleeing vehicles wrecked at the intersection of Southeast 148th Avenue and Southeast Division Street. The car had collided with a utility pole, sustaining severe damage. Authorities confirmed that the driver, believed to be the only occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene.
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Police have not yet released the driver’s identity, pending notification of family members. The second vehicle involved in the eluding incident remains unaccounted for, and officers continue to search for both the car and its driver.
Investigation and Road Closure
The crash prompted a major response from Portland police, who closed the intersection of Southeast 148th Avenue and Southeast Division Street in both directions during the investigation. Traffic was rerouted for several hours while the Major Crash Team documented the scene and collected evidence.
Authorities are now piecing together the sequence of events that led to the deadly crash. They have not yet determined how fast the vehicle was traveling or whether other factors—such as impairment or mechanical failure—played a role.
Public Urged to Provide Information
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the reckless driving, the pursuit, or the crash itself to come forward with information. Witness statements and video footage from nearby surveillance cameras could help investigators locate the second vehicle and understand what caused the driver to lose control.
This fatal crash adds to Portland’s growing number of deadly collisions this year, many of which have involved excessive speed or attempts to flee law enforcement. Officials continue to urge drivers to stop when signaled by police and to prioritize safety over escape.
Community Impact
Residents near the crash site reported hearing a loud impact in the early morning hours and later woke to find the intersection blocked off by emergency vehicles. Utility crews were also dispatched to repair the damaged pole and restore power to nearby homes.
As investigators work to determine what led to the crash, police emphasize that eluding officers is a dangerous decision that can have irreversible consequences.
