A chaotic scene erupted in downtown Portland early Friday morning following a large street fight near the intersection of Northwest 4th Avenue and Couch Street, which culminated in a driver striking four individuals with their vehicle. According to the Portland Police Bureau, the altercation began shortly after the closing time of local bars and quickly escalated, drawing the attention of a significant crowd.
Officers arrived on the scene promptly to break up the fight, which involved a large group of participants. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported from the brawl itself, but approximately 100 people had gathered in the vicinity, creating a tense atmosphere.
As the crowd began to disperse, a driver traveling east on NW Couch Street failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with four individuals who were in the intersection at the time. Police officers present at the scene quickly intervened, removing the driver from the vehicle and placing him under arrest. The driver was later identified as 32-year-old Tyler W. Miller. Authorities reported that Miller exhibited signs of impairment, leading to his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII).
Emergency medical personnel arrived shortly thereafter to attend to the injured victims. Two of the adult women were transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance, while the other two opted to seek medical treatment independently. All four women, who remained conscious and communicative with law enforcement at the scene, sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including concussions, a broken arm, and a head laceration that required stitches.
Miller faces multiple charges, including DUII, reckless driving, two counts of third-degree assault, and 15 counts of recklessly endangering another person. The incident is currently under investigation by the police, who are reviewing the circumstances surrounding both the street fight and the subsequent collision.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist in piecing together the events that led to this chaotic and dangerous situation. Community safety remains a top priority as officials work to prevent similar incidents in the future.
