An impaired driver struck two parked police vehicles, injuring two Portland Police Officers in the Arbor Lodge Neighborhood.
On Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 12:19 a.m., two Portland Police Officers assigned to North Precinct were in their marked patrol cars, parked facing south along the west curbline of North Greeley Avenue just south of North Dekum Street. Their overhead police lights were not activated. They were just wrapping up a call for service and about to drive away when the driver of a white 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe sideswiped both vehicles. The impact severely damaged the Chevrolet and both Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles.
The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured. One of the police officers was briefly trapped in his vehicle due to the damage to his door. The officers were treated on scene by Portland Fire & Rescue and both later transported to the hospital by police vehicle. One officer suffered a concussion and neck pain and the other had an injured shoulder. Preliminary estimates suggest the officers will be off work for at least a week due to their injuries.
The driver of the Chevrolet was arrested at the scene and an officer from the Traffic Division conducted an impaired driving investigation. After the investigation, officers booked the Chevrolet driver, Charlotte L. West, 47, of Portland, into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Assault in the Fourth Degree (2 counts).
“I wish our officers the best in their recovery from this crash,” said Chief Bob Day. “This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day as they serve our community. And, I hope it’s a reminder to everyone not to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.”
The PPB Traffic Division is participating in a joint DUII mission with multiple surrounding law enforcement agencies this Labor Day weekend. Officers will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of impaired driving. PPB and its partners encourage motorists to drive safely and drive sober. Each year, law enforcement personnel respond to preventable collisions that can deeply impact those involved, their families, and loved ones. All road users are encouraged to avoid actions that might lead to a collision, including impairment, speed, distraction, and disobeying signals.
Drink responsibly and remember buzzed driving is drunk driving. PPB would like to remind the public that drug-impaired driving is just as dangerous (and illegal) as alcohol-impaired driving.
Source: Portland Police Bureau