What started as a traffic stop on a busy Wednesday evening ended with a three-car wreck and a flipped vehicle in northeast Portland, leaving one woman in custody and three drivers in the hospital.
The crash happened just after 7:30 p.m. at Northeast 8th Avenue and North Lombard Street. Portland Fire & Rescue crews and police officers rushed to the scene, where three vehicles were involved. All three drivers were taken to a hospital, and officials said there was no indication that any of the injuries were life-threatening.
According to police, the driver who was later arrested took off from a traffic stop. Officers moved to deploy spike strips, but before they could bring the chase to a clean stop, the fleeing vehicle swerved into two other cars. One of those vehicles flipped onto the sidewalk, as reported by KOIN. The driver was taken into custody at the scene, and authorities have not released the person’s identity while detectives continue their initial investigation.
Where It Happened
The collision unfolded on North Lombard, a busy east–west corridor the city has already flagged for safety upgrades because it is part of Portland’s High Crash Network. The Columbia/Lombard Mobility Corridor Plan lays out targeted changes meant to cut down on collisions and improve crossings and bike access along the stretch. Portland.gov notes the corridor’s history of serious crashes and the city’s ongoing efforts to address them.
Investigation and Traffic Impacts
In the aftermath of the crash, North Lombard was shut down between NE 6th and NE 11th so officers and investigators could document the scene while crews worked to clear the wreckage. Portland traffic investigators were expected to review the collision in detail, as reported by KOIN. Police again emphasized that there was no indication of life-threatening injuries and said any potential charges would be determined after detectives finish their work.
Pursuit Policy and Spike Strips
The Portland Police Bureau’s vehicle pursuit directive lists spike strips as an approved Vehicle Intervention Strategy and tells supervisors and officers to weigh the risks of a chase against the overall public safety benefit. Under Directive 0630.05, members are instructed to factor in traffic density, time of day and the seriousness of the suspected offense when deciding whether to pursue. Portland Police Bureau
What to Expect
The investigation remained active, and police asked anyone with information or video of the chase or the crash to contact investigators so prosecutors can evaluate possible charges. Officials also noted that even brief pursuits can quickly turn dangerous for bystanders and cause major traffic disruptions along corridor streets like North Lombard.
