A Portland Police officer is currently recuperating from minor injuries after a freeway incident involving a drunk driver. The patrol car was sideswiped while stationed on Interstate 5 last Wednesday evening, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
Responding to a vehicle overturned due to slippery conditions and excessive speed, officers had parked their car strategically to shield the area from a tow truck operator. Despite activated overhead lights meant to warn oncoming traffic, a second incident unfolded at 9:03 p.m. A fast-approaching vehicle, driven by 59-year-old Kwesi Djorgee of Portland, collided with the police SUV. The officer inside was later hospitalized for back pain.
Djorgee was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. In the aftermath of this event, the police bureau has reiterated the importance of heeding Oregon's Move Over law, which mandates drivers to either move over a lane or slow down when approaching emergency and roadside assistance vehicles displaying warning lights.
