A Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputy's vehicle was struck by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop on the eastbound I-84 at Northeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard, as reported by the Portland Police Bureau. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, and the deputy was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. They were using the vehicle’s public address system to safely guide the stopped driver to a safer location when a 2018 Jeep Compass SUV collided into the patrol Chevrolet Tahoe SUV from the rear.
The deputy and the driver of the Jeep, identified as Jose Juan Alvarez, were both transported to the hospital with injuries that were not considered serious. Officers from various divisions of the PPB and MCSO, alongside Emergency Medical Services, quickly to respond to the scene. It was determined soon after that the driver of the Jeep was impaired by alcohol at the time of the incident. According to the Portland Police, Jose Juan Alvarez faces charges including Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.
The crash prompted the closure of eastbound lanes on Interstate 84, with the Oregon Department of Transportation issuing a public alert about the road blockage. Fortunately, the freeway was able to be reopened by 11:30 p.m. the same night. Debris from the collision and the heavy damage to both vehicles involved were cleared off the freeway.
The Portland Police have used this incident to remind the public about the sobering risks of driving while impaired. They have released a video emphasizing the responsibility held by every road user to ensure safety and to drive sober. Alvarez also received citations for Failure to Maintain Lane, Careless Driving Contributing to an Accident, and Failure to Install an Ignition Interlock Device. The PPB further highlights the importance of Oregon’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to move a lane over or slow down when passing stationary vehicles displaying warning lights.
For more information on the unfortunate yet eye-opening incident, visit Portland Police Bureau’s official report.
