A Portland Police Officer is recovering from minor injuries after his vehicle was struck by a drunk driver on the freeway. On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 8:28 p.m., two officers from the Central Precinct responded to a report of a crash on northbound Interstate-5 near Southwest Multnomah Boulevard. Upon arrival, they discovered a vehicle flipped onto its roof. The initial investigation indicated that the driver was speeding in dark, rainy conditions, lost control on the wet pavement, collided with the barrier, and overturned. Fortunately, the driver emerged uninjured, and officers arranged for a tow for the damaged vehicle.
The officers had parked their patrol car in the right lane, with overhead lights activated to warn approaching traffic and create a safe environment for the tow truck operator. Despite the adverse weather and police presence, officers noticed that drivers were still speeding past the scene. To enhance safety, a second police vehicle was positioned behind the first, also with lights flashing.
Oregon’s Move Over law mandates that drivers either change lanes or reduce their speed by five miles per hour below the limit when passing emergency vehicles, roadside assistance vehicles, tow trucks, or ambulances displaying warning lights. This law also applies to any vehicle stopped with its hazard lights on.
At the time of the incident, one officer was seated in the passenger seat, while the other stood on the freeway shoulder. The officer in the vehicle had his seatbelt fastened, aware of previous incidents where police cars had been struck under similar circumstances.
At 9:03 p.m., a driver approached at a high speed and sideswiped the driver’s side of the police vehicle, causing it to lurch forward. Initially, neither officer reported any injuries. The driver who collided with them pulled over to the shoulder and was subsequently interviewed by a member of the Portland Police Traffic Division. Kwesi Djorgee, 59, from Portland, was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII), Reckless Driving, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person (two counts).
Later, the officer in the patrol vehicle sought medical attention for back pain and will be off duty for at least a few days.
The Portland Police Bureau urges the community to remember that emergency and transportation personnel are active on roadways. Drivers are reminded to move over or slow down when they see any vehicle with flashing lights, including tow trucks, public works vehicles, emergency responders, or law enforcement. This practice not only saves lives but is also required by law.
