A man's life was tragically cut short in Portland when a motorcycle and a semi-truck collided, an event now tied to the ongoing issue of metal theft in the city. The crash resulted from tampering with a traffic control box that led to non-operational traffic lights—an act of theft contributing to the accident at Northeast Airport Way and I-205, Portland Police reported.
James P. Goldsmith, 52, of Fairview, Oregon, was riding his 2012 Triumph Tiger motorcycle when it collided with a 2022 Freightliner tractor-trailer. Goldsmith was unable to stop for the malfunctioning traffic signal due to the theft of copper wiring that rendered it inoperative. The circumstances were a set-up for disaster, with other vehicles stopped at the intersection likely obscuring the drivers' views of each other, according to authorities.
The Public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around traffic control boxes to the Traffic Investigations Unit (TIU). "Anyone seeing suspicious behavior or witnessed someone tampering with traffic control boxes in the area of Northeast Airport Way and I-205 is encouraged to contact the Traffic Investigations Unit (TIU) at [email protected] attn: TIU and reference case number 25-338413.," the police statement advised.
