PORTLAND, Ore. — 2023 is shaping up to be one of the deadliest years ever on Portland roadways. As of Nov. 28, 66 people have died in roadway-related crashes citywide. That’s just two shy of last year’s 68 fatalities, the highest death toll in three decades.
Police fear traffic fatalities will likely increase during the busy holiday travel season.
“We always see an uptick when it comes to intoxicated and impaired driving,” said Sgt. Ty Engstrom of the Portland Police traffic division.
Data from the Oregon Department of Transportation indicates, between 2017 and 2021, 69% of deadly crashes in Portland involved drug or alcohol impairment. Speed played a role in 42% of deadly crashes citywide.
Another top contributor that doesn’t show up in the numbers is distracted drivers, explained Engstrom.
“Unless somebody admits to it or somebody saw it, it is hard for us to pinpoint if the person was on their phone or distracted in some way when the crash took place,” said Engstrom.
In May, Portland police reinstated its traffic division. The unit currently has 14 people patrolling the streets, seven days a week. Recently, Portland police teamed up with other agencies to conduct DUII saturation patrols.
A fatal crash can leave family and friends devastated.
“These are more than just numbers,” Ron Coleman explained. On October 21, Coleman lost his son Brandon. The 34-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run crash off Southwest Naito Parkway on the Morrison Street Bridge on-ramp.
“He was just a remarkable kid from day one, brought so many people laughs and was very courteous and caring,” said Coleman. The father hopes someone comes forward with information about the deadly crash. No arrests have been made.
“Let’s get justice for my son Brandon; do the right thing,” said Coleman.
Of the 66 fatal crashes in Portland in 2023, seven were hit-and-run incidents, police report.