PORTLAND, Ore. — A woman was seriously injured Thursday afternoon after a van crashed into a bench outside Providence Portland Medical Center, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
The incident occurred around 1:35 p.m. in the hospital’s parking lot, located in the 5000 block of Northeast Hoyt Street. Witnesses told police the driver of the van appeared to lose control while parking, striking the woman who was sitting on a nearby bench.
Authorities believe the man behind the wheel may have accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the van to lurch forward. The impact pinned the woman against the bench before emergency responders arrived.
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Portland Fire & Rescue crews quickly responded and provided medical aid at the scene. The victim was then transported by ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the driver remained at the scene and was cooperating with the investigation. No arrests or citations had been issued as of Thursday evening.
Investigators were still working to determine the exact cause of the crash and whether mechanical failure or driver error contributed to the incident.
Authorities temporarily restricted access to part of the hospital parking lot as they gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses. The Portland Police Traffic Division is expected to release additional details once the investigation is complete.
Hospital staff said patient care was not disrupted, though several bystanders were visibly shaken by the accident.
