Two Portland police officers are counting their blessings after surviving a collision caused by an alleged drunk driver on Interstate 205. The incident, which took place late Tuesday night, left both cops injured but, fortunately, not with life-threatening conditions. According to the Portland Police Bureau, the officers were attending to a routine vehicle tow when a civilian car, operated by 48-year-old Brent W. Bussell, slammed into their patrol car.
The officers, whose names have not been released, were released from the hospital after receiving treatment. Bussell, a Happy Valley resident, didn't escape the incident unscathed. He was treated for injuries and, following his release from the hospital, was booked at the Multnomah County Detention Center. The charges: DUII and Reckless Driving.
Investigators looking into the crash have reason to believe that impairment was a major factor. The crash caused quite a stir on the southbound lanes of I-205, prompting closures south of Southeast Division Street while the Major Crash Team conducted their investigation. The thoroughfare has since reopened to traffic, restoring the flow of late-night commutes and early morning rushes.
With the case ongoing, authorities are reaching out to the public for any additional information. Tips can be emailed to the Traffic Investigations Unit via the PPB's dedicated crime tips channel – a direct avenue for community involvement in a city that understands the gravity, of such cooperative vigilance. In a joint statement, the Police Bureau expressed their relief for the officers' relatively minor injuries and underscored the peril of impaired driving for all road users.
