The tow truck driver responsible for hitting another tow truck driver on the side of the Banfield Freeway has been located thanks to news coverage of the incident.
On January 31, 2023, the Portland Police Officer investigating the incident got a call from a man who said he had seen news coverage of the hit and run crash and believed he might have been involved. The driver agreed to meet with the officer for an interview. The officer was able to examine his black 2019 Ford F350 tow truck and confirmed minor damage consistent the crash.
The tow driver explained that he had been blinded momentarily on I-84 when a tarp from an insecure load in another vehicle landed on his windshield. The driver said he heard a thump but couldn't tell what had happened. He said he took the next exit, removed the obstruction, and then went back to see if he could tell if he had hit anything. He was unable to locate a crash. But when he saw the story, he realized that he might have been involved. Based on the information provided, the officer updated the case file and notified the injured driver. At this point, no arrests have been made or citations issued. PPB is no longer seeking information about the other driver involved.
The injured tow truck driver was released from the hospital today and is recovering at home.
###PPB###
***Original Message Below***
A tow truck driver was sent to the hospital with serious injuries after he was struck outside of his vehicle this morning on the Banfield Freeway.
On Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 6:47a.m., an East Precinct officer, Portland Fire & Rescue, and AMR paramedics responded to a report of an injury crash on westbound I-84 between the Northeast 43rd Avenue exit and the overpass at Northeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard. When the officer arrived, he found a tow truck driver laying injured on the pavement in front of his truck. The officer learned that the driver had just finished loading a vehicle and was still outside of his truck when he was struck by passing vehicle. The suspect vehicle is also believed to be a tow truck. The suspect vehicle continued driving and has not been located.
The victim, a 27-year-old man, was transported to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, including a broken arm and a broken leg.
The suspect vehicle is described as a Ford tow truck with a wheel lift mechanism on the back. There are conflicting accounts of what color it was.
If anyone witnessed the crash, has video of the suspect truck, or has information about the driver involved, please e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-26728.
Photo descriptions:
1. The driver's side of a flatbed tow truck with sideswipe damage on the right shoulder of westbound Banfield Freeway.
2. Closeup of a broken driver's side mirror
3. A view of the pavement in the front of truck where the injured victim landed
###PPB###