Two brothers lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Southwest Portland. The crash occurred at the intersection of Southwest Barbur Boulevard and Terwilliger Boulevard around 9:21 p.m. According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), a Honda Civic traveling southbound on Barbur Boulevard collided with a Toyota Sienna van that was turning left onto Terwilliger Boulevard.
The driver and passenger of the Honda Civic, identified as 31-year-old Evan Hadlock of Rainier and 32-year-old David Hadlock of St. Helens, succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. A passenger in the backseat of the Honda sustained serious injuries. Police believe that alcohol impairment on the part of the Honda’s driver was a contributing factor to the crash.
With these latest fatalities, the total number of traffic-related deaths in Portland for the year has risen to 63. The driver of the Toyota Sienna was not seriously injured. Portland faces the persistent issue of drunk driving accidents. These incidents often result in tragic consequences, including fatalities and serious injuries. Oregon has strict laws regarding drunk driving, with penalties ranging from fines and license suspension to jail time.
Drunk driving remains a significant problem in the United States, causing thousands of deaths and injuries each year. In 2022, approximately 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. This accounts for about 32% of all traffic fatalities. Hundreds of thousands of people are injured in drunk driving crashes each year. Drunk driving crashes cost billions of dollars annually in medical expenses, lost productivity, and other costs.
Portland Police Chief Bob Day expressed concern over the recent surge in fatal accidents involving drunk driving. He noted that the number of DUI arrests has increased by nearly 300% this year. While acknowledging the progress made in reducing drunk driving incidents, Chief Day emphasized the ongoing risks and urged drivers to make responsible choices.
