PORTLAND, Ore. — Two men are dead after a Wednesday evening crash on Southwest Barbur Boulevard, the first of three traffic-related deaths in less than 24 hours in Portland.
At 9:21 p.m., Portland officers and its traffic division responded to a two-vehicle crash at Southwest Barbur and Terwilliger Boulevard.
The initial investigation suggests that the driver of a Honda Civic 4-door was traveling south on Barbur Boulevard when the vehicle collided with a Toyota Sienna van that was turning left from Barbur northbound onto Terwilliger.
The driver and passenger in the Honda Civic died at the hospital, according to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). They have been identified as 31-year-old Evan Hadlock of Rainier and 32-year-old David Hadlock of St. Helens.
A passenger in the back of the Honda was seriously injured. Police said alcohol intoxication on the part of the driver is believed to be a factor in this crash.
Portland Police Chief Bob Day said Friday that they have seen a couple of fatal accidents of late that involved drunk drivers. He added that the agency's drunk driving arrests are up almost 300% this year.
"We’re making progress; we’re taking steps to minimize the risk, but there will always be a certain amount of risk," Chief Day warned.
These are the 62nd and 63rd traffic-related fatalities this year in Portland, police said.
The driver of the Sienna was not seriously injured.