A tragic car crash in North Portland on Friday, December 5th has resulted in the death of a pedestrian, marking the city’s 41st traffic fatality this year. The Portland Police Bureau reported that the incident occurred around 7:20 p.m. on North Columbia Boulevard near Hurst Avenue, involving two vehicles and leaving the pedestrian deceased at the scene.
Despite the prompt arrival of police and the involvement of both drivers, details surrounding the victim’s identity remain undisclosed as the investigation is still ongoing. The police have not yet released an official statement naming the individual, keeping the community in suspense as they seek to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
In response to the crash, authorities temporarily closed North Columbia Boulevard from North Fiske Avenue to North Chautauqua Boulevard to facilitate the investigation. KOIN reported that railroad traffic in the area was also suspended as the Major Crash Team took over the scene to conduct a thorough examination of the circumstances leading to the fatality. The closures caused significant disruptions not only on the road but also impacted nearby rail services.
The Portland Police Bureau is actively seeking assistance from the public in their investigation, urging anyone with information regarding the crash to come forward. This latest incident contributes to a concerning trend in traffic fatalities in the city, which saw a decline in the previous two years, with deaths dropping from 69 in 2023 to 58 in 2024, according to The Oregonian/OregonLiVE.
In a separate incident on the same day, Clackamas County sheriff’s deputies shot and wounded a suspect who allegedly charged at them with an axe during a domestic disturbance. This incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. near SW Stafford Road and SE 65th Avenue, shortly before the pedestrian fatality in Portland. The unidentified suspect is currently in critical condition at a local hospital.
Both deputies involved in the shooting were unharmed and have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure following officer-involved shootings. The Clackamas County Interagency Major Crimes Team and the District Attorney’s Office are leading the investigation into this incident, which adds another layer of complexity to a tense day for law enforcement in the region.
