The suspected hit and run driver killed in last Thursday's wrong-way crash on I-84 has been identified as 59-year-old Christopher Gene Cannard.
The crash and circumstances leading to the crash remain under investigation.
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###ORIGINAL MESSAGE BELOW###
Investigators continue to investigate a fatal crash that began on Thursday, April 19, 2018, on eastbound Interstate 84 between Northeast 82nd Avenue and Interstate 205.
This investigation began on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at 11:35 p.m., when officers responded to the report of a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Northeast 99th Avenue and Northeast Glisan Street. As officers responded to the crash, they learned one of the involved vehicles had driven away from the scene. Officers arrived at the crash and located a red Ford Mustang and its driver. The driver suffered minor injuries and did not require transport to an area hospital by ambulance for treatment.
Officers learned the vehicle that was driven from the crash scene was a white Toyota Celica. Additional officers searched the area for the suspected hit and run vehicle and its driver. An officer located a vehicle that matched the suspected hit and run vehicle's description in the 1300 block of Northeast 99th Avenue. The officer attempted to stop the white Toyota Celica and the driver. The suspected hit and run driver fled from the officer in the Celica and proceeded west onto eastbound Interstate 84 from Northeast 99th Avenue. As the driver of the white Toyota Celica drove the wrong way on eastbound Interstate 84, an officer pursued the suspected hit and run driver. Shortly after driving east on westbound Interstate 84, the driver of the Celica collided with a yellow Toyota Prius being driven eastbound on Interstate 84. The collision between the Prius and Celica occurred east of Northeast 82nd Avenue. Upon observing the crash, the pursuing officer requested emergency medical personnel respond to the scene.
Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and determined the suspected hit and driver was deceased. The driver and only occupant of the Toyota Prius was transported to an area hospital by ambulance with what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
The Police Bureau requested the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Team (CRAFT) respond to assume the investigation since there was a Portland Police Officer who was present but not directly involved in the crash when it occurred.
As part of the review of this case, an After Action Report will be completed and reviewed to determine adherence to policy. The Portland Police Bureau's Professional Standards Division will also complete a review and investigation of the police actions involved in this incident.
Anyone with information about this crash should contact the Portland Police Bureau non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
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###ORIGINAL MESSAGE BELOW###
On Thursday, April 19, 2018, at 11:42 p.m., East Precinct officers began an investigation involving a two vehicle crash that occurred on eastbound Interstate 84 east of Northeast 82nd Avenue.
Responding officers and emergency medical personnel located two vehicles involved in this crash. Emergency medical personnel determined the driver and only occupant of one vehicle was deceased. The driver and only occupant of the second vehicle involved in this crash sustained what are believed to be serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital by ambulance.
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Team (CRAFT) has been requested to respond and lead this fatal traffic crash investigation.
During this traffic crash investigation, eastbound Interstate 84 will be closed at Northeast 82nd Avenue. The closure is expected to remain in effect for the following six to eight hours.
This investigation is ongoing. No additional information is expected to be provided regarding this crash until later in the investigation.
Anyone with information about this crash should contact the Portland Police Bureau non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
The Portland Police Bureau is committed to working with our partners in government and the community to create safer streets and work towards reducing, and eventually eliminating, traffic fatalities as part of Vision Zero.
To learn more about the City of Portland's Vision Zero effort, please visit: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/40390
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