Tragedy struck the Wilkes neighborhood back in August, leading to the death of 85-year-old Ruthellen Tromsness of Gresham, Oregon, sadly, her passing has now been confirmed by the Portland Police Bureau. The incident occurred on August 22, when Tromsness, driving a silver 2021 Kia Soul, was struck head-on by a tan 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe operated by Jose G. Benites, 42, who lost control and crossed the median on Northeast Airport Way, as per the Portland Police Bureau.
Though Tromsness was transported to the hospital with injuries not initially thought to be life-threatening, it was on September 9 that the Portland Police Traffic Division received notice of her death, this case bringing into stark relief the human cost of vehicular incidents that go beyond just numbers and statistics – the bereaved family, the shattered semblance of normalcy. According to Portland Police Bureau, Benites was cited for Driving While Suspended (case number 25-228762), and with Tromsness' unfortunate passing, the traffic-related deaths climbed to a somber total of 28 for the year as of that date.
It's worth noting that the PPB employs a different methodology in tallying traffic fatalities than the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which doesn't include various categories of incidents, such as suicides or events on private property among others, the Portland Police Bureau metrics provide a more comprehensive reflection of traffic-related incidents requiring investigation by their Traffic Investigations Unit.
