Portland authorities have charged a local man, Alexander R. Wick, with a series of offenses after a dangerous incident disrupted traffic on Interstate 5. Wick, 38, is now facing charges including Unlawful Manufacture of Destructive Device and Attempted Arson in the First Degree, as detailed in a recent update from the Portland Police Bureau. The incident, which took place on June 14th near the North Failing Street pedestrian bridge, involved Wick allegedly throwing objects with the potential to cause harm into the roadway and creating a perilous situation for drivers.
As detectives continue to piece together the events of that evening, they are seeking help from the public. On the run from the scene, some witnesses are believed to have captured video but did not stay to provide this crucial evidence. Detective Meredith Hopper has appealed to anyone in possession of such material to contact her at [email protected]... and reference case number 25-158213. This plea for assistance underscores the importance of community involvement in ensuring public safety.
The object strewn across the I-5 by the suspect included construction cones and boards with nails protruding, presenting a serious risk to unsuspecting motorists. A large portable stop sign was also found at the scene. Following the discovery of an improvised explosive device (IED), a coordinated response from local law enforcement and federal agencies led to an emergency closure of the freeway.
According to official reports, the freeway shutdown began at 9:20 p.m. and lasted until roughly 10:45 p.m. During this time, teams from the North Precinct, the Metropolitan Explosives Disposal Unit (MEDU), and other specialized units, including the FBI, worked together to resolve the situation and safely reopen the interstate. The joint effort led to the reopening of northbound lanes first at about 10:17 p.m., with all lanes being cleared for travel by 10:45 p.m.
