A tragic series of events culminated in the death of a 67-year-old man following a pedestrian-vehicle collision last month in Northeast Portland. On December 3, 2025, Jerry Spears was crossing at a marked crosswalk at Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Bryant Street when he was struck by a northbound vehicle. According to details released by KOIN, the crash occurred around 6:30 pm and Spears sustained severe injuries for which he was hospitalized.
Despite medical efforts to save his life, on January 7, Spears succumbed to his injuries. As reported by KGW, police confirmed that the driver involved stayed at the scene and cooperated with the subsequent investigation. Meanwhile, the Portland Police Bureau's Major Crash Team sergeant was notified by the Multnomah County Medical Examiner's Office about Spears' death, marking a somber addition to the traffic-related fatalities of 2025.
As the Portland Police Bureau continues to investigate the incident, they have issued a call to action for anyone with information to step forward. Individuals with knowledge of the crash are encouraged to reach out to the bureau's Traffic Investigations Unit directly. Emails can be sent to [email protected], with an attention to "TIU" and reference to case number 25-331118, as highlighted by KATU.
The Portland Police Bureau said no arrests have been made in connection with the accident involving Spears. Investigators continue to gather evidence to determine what caused the crash. Police confirmed that Spears’ death brings the total number of traffic fatalities in 2025 to 46. More details may be released as the investigation continues.
