PORTLAND, Ore. — A crash that caused the death of a teenage boy in North Portland on Saturday night may have been caused by an illegal street takeover event, according to a statement from the Portland Police Bureau.
Officers responded just after 10:30 p.m. Saturday to North Marine Drive at North Leadbetter Road. They arrived to find a single car involved in a rollover crash and a teenage boy deceased. The driver of the rolled vehicle had stayed at the scene.
PPB's Major Crash Team responded to investigate, closing the intersection during their response. It is not yet known whether the driver will face criminal charges.
The initial investigation indicated that the driver was involved in a street takeover with other drivers and spectators, PPB said. While some witnesses remained at the scene to talk with police, many left after the crash.
Anyone with information is asked to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn: Traffic Investigations Unit and reference case number 24-306793.
By PPB's accounting, Saturday night's crash marked the 65th traffic-related death in Portland this year, and the fifth in just the past 10 days.
If this trend persists, Portland is on pace to match or exceed 2023's record-setting number of traffic deaths, which was the highest in three decades.
