A pedestrian, identified as 69-year-old Melinda L. Reinke, has succumbed to injuries she sustained from a crash that occurred in December of last year. According to a statement released by the City of Portland, Oregon, she passed away due to complications from the incident.
Reinke was hit by a vehicle nearly six months ago, on December 3, 2024, and despite being released from the hospital in February 2025, her health deteriorated, requiring ongoing home care until her health escalated, leading to her death on Thursday, May 29. Initial reports from that December afternoon around 1:00 p.m. had officers responding to the scene at Southeast 174th Avenue and Southeast Grant Street, where they discovered Reinke injured after being struck by a vehicle, as detailed by the City of Portland, Oregon.
The driver of the vehicle involved in the December incident remained at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement. Following Reinke's passing, the Major Crash Team of the PPB has been apprised of the situation. The cause of death was determined by the Medical Examiner to be directly linked to the injuries from the December crash.
While initial reports did not suggest any criminal element at the scene of the crash, this traffic case is being revisited, and an investigator from the PPB’s Traffic Investigations Unit will be conducting a review, as per the City of Portland, Oregon. The bureau maintains that cases such as these warrant thorough investigations, ensuring accountability and justice. With the death of Reinke, 2024's traffic-related fatalities total in Portland has been adjusted to 67.
