A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, June 25, 2024, when a stolen vehicle evaded police and resulted in a fatal crash. At approximately 12:14 a.m., officers from the Gresham Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle in the vicinity of Southeast 159th Avenue and Southeast Division Street. The vehicle was pursued by officers.
Just minutes later, Gresham Police received reports of a crash near the intersection of Southeast 139th Avenue and Southeast Division Street. The vehicle involved in the pursuit had collided with another vehicle and a utility pole, causing a power outage affecting nearby residents. Officers from the East Precinct responded to the scene to provide assistance.
Upon their arrival, officers discovered that the eluding vehicle had crashed into another vehicle and a utility pole. Tragically, two male occupants of the fleeing vehicle were found deceased at the scene, while another male occupant sustained severe injuries. The injured male was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he is currently fighting for his life. The driver of the other vehicle, an adult female, sustained minor injuries and remained at the scene.
Police states that an investigation revealed that the eluding vehicle had been reported stolen prior to the incident, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding tragedy.
The Portland Police Bureau Major Crash Team has been deployed to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. As a result, Southeast Division Street will be temporarily closed between Southeast 136th Avenue and Southeast 142nd Avenue to facilitate the investigation.
This devastating incident raises questions about the existing laws and technological measures in place to prevent such tragedies. The loss of life and the serious injuries sustained in this crash may be avoided.
