A driver was killed and another hospitalized after a crash on Southeast Powell Boulevard on Friday, according to Portland police, turning one of the city’s busiest arterials into a long backup as investigators shut down the road between Southeast 52nd and Southeast 60th avenues. The Portland Police Bureau’s Major Crash Team responded to the scene to piece together what happened.
What Officials Said
According to KGW, the collision took place near Southeast 56th Avenue. One driver was taken to a hospital, where they died despite lifesaving efforts. The other driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
KGW also reported the case number as 26-163005 and noted that police asked witnesses or anyone with video of the crash to submit tips using an online Smartsheet form.
Powell’s Recent Safety Record
The city’s Portland 2025 Deadly Traffic Crash Report shows that Portland tracks fatal crashes by corridor and prioritizes safety projects where collisions cluster, a strategy that has repeatedly put parts of Powell on the radar for changes.
Vision Zero planners rely on combined police and state data to decide which streets need near term fixes and longer range upgrades, all with the goal of cutting traffic deaths and serious injuries.
Agencies Point to Ongoing Improvements
The Oregon Department of Transportation and the city have been rolling out projects on Powell, including enhanced pedestrian signals and other corridor improvements, as part of a coordinated push to make the road safer for people driving, biking and walking.
Officials have said the work will take time, and crashes like Friday’s are exactly the kind of incident planners cite when explaining why Powell keeps showing up on the city’s safety priority list.
How To Share Tips
Portland police, working with the Major Crash Team, have asked anyone who saw the crash to contact them. KGW published the case number, 26-163005, along with the instructions police provided for submitting tips.
Investigators are encouraging anyone who has cellphone video or other eyewitness information to use the bureau’s tip process so detectives can review it as part of the ongoing investigation.
