Driver sought in two hit-and-run crashes

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 31, 2017

The same suspect is wanted in connected with two different hit-and-run smashups that occurred on Saturday, March 4, at about 5:30 p.m. The incidents brought as many as twenty Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct units into the area of 82nd Avenue of Roses and S.E. Powell Boulevard.

“In the first crash, the suspect driver in an Acura was turning left, northbound on 82nd from Francis Street; and a Toyota was southbound on 82nd Avenue, said PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson. “After the Acura crashed into the Toyota, the Acura driver then fled the scene.”

Officers responded to the area — but before they could find and apprehend the suspect driver, that same Acura, now being driven westbound on S.E. Powell, attempted to turn left, southbound on S.E. 80th Avenue — and collided head-on with a Honda, eastbound on Powell Boulevard.

Although no one was transported for medical care, the force of the impact set off safety airbags in both vehicles.

This time, the Acura stayed put — but, “The suspect ran from the car,” Simpson remarked.

Officers set up a 17-unit dragnet in the neighborhood, from Powell Boulevard south to Holgate, and from 78th to 82nd Avenue.

“The suspect hasn’t been located, and these cases are still under investigation,” Simpson said.

One clue: the suspect driver has difficulty completing successful left turns. And, the Acura he was driving is in the hands of the police.