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News Release
Charges filed against 42-year-old man in connection with April 2019 vehicular homicide investigation - 06/06/19

June 6, 2019

Charges filed against 42-year-old man in connection with April 2019 vehicular homicide investigation 

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that criminal charges were filed against 42-year-old Jaime Mendoza-Chavez in connection to a vehicular homicide investigation. 

According to court documents, on April 10, 2019, members of the Portland Police Bureau, including the Traffic Division’s Major Crash Team, responded to the intersection of North Fessenden Street and North Polk Avenue on reports of a vehicle versus pedestrian hit and run crash. 

Law enforcement and paramedics responded and located 82-year-old Ms. Sandra Bosch unresponsive in the roadway. She died on scene. 

A witness told law enforcement that he was driving westbound on North Fessenden Street when he saw Ms. Bosch crossing the street, according to court documents. The witness slowed his vehicle and stopped as Ms. Bosch crossed the street. 

The same witness reported observing a vehicle coming eastbound on North Fessenden traveling at about 45 miles per hour, according to court documents. The witness said the vehicle then struck Ms. Bosch and that the driver never attempted to stop. 

Another witness, according to court documents, also witnessed the crash and reported that Ms. Bosch struck her head on the windshield on the passenger side. 

On April 11, 2019, the University of Portland’s Department of Public Safety contacted the Bureau of Emergency Communications to report a suspicious vehicle that was parked at North McKenna Avenue and North Warren Street. The vehicle had a smashed front windshield with what appeared to be hair embedded in the glass, according to court documents. 

The vehicle was located approximately two miles from where Ms. Bosch was hit and killed.   

On May 21, 2019, the Oregon State Police Crime Lab confirmed the evidence recovered from the vehicle matched Ms. Bosch’s DNA, according to court documents. 

Law enforcement made efforts to contact the vehicle’s owner. Earlier this week, law enforcement contacted Mendoza-Chavez who told police he “wanted to tell the truth,” according to court documents. 

According to court documents, Mendoza-Chavez admitted he was the driver of the vehicle that hit and killed Ms. Bosch and that he had consumed two beers. 

A charging document is only an accusation of a crime.  Mendoza-Chavez is innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

#MCDA#


Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director 
Phone: 503.988.6567 
Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

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