A Milwaukie electric bicycle rider was left with serious injuries Thursday after a driver side-swiped them on Southeast Harmony Road, briefly stopped, then took off, according to police. The cyclist was taken to a hospital with significant cuts and bruises to the head and extremities, and investigators have opened case number 26‑3373. Officers say a white SUV was seen near the crash.
According to KOIN, the collision happened in the 6300 block of Southeast Harmony Road at the intersection with Southeast Linwood Avenue. Milwaukie police told the station the driver stopped briefly to speak with the injured rider before driving away, and that the cyclist was hospitalized with “significant cuts and bruises to the extremities and head.” Investigators described the striking vehicle as a white SUV and said officers are reviewing nearby traffic and security camera footage in hope of spotting the suspect vehicle.
Police Ask For Tips And Footage
Milwaukie officers are urging anyone who saw the collision or who has dashcam or door-cam video from the area to contact investigators and reference case 26‑3373. The City of Milwaukie lists a police tip line and department email; the Milwaukie tip line is 503‑786‑7425 and [email protected]. Officers say even short clips that show a white SUV in the vicinity could help identify the driver and speed up the investigation.
What Officers Say About The Vehicle
Investigators told KOIN the striking vehicle was a white SUV that stopped briefly at the scene before leaving in an unknown direction. Police are using the case to remind drivers to watch closely for cyclists and to urge riders of e-bikes and other micromobility devices to wear helmets and follow the rules of the road. Anyone who can place a white SUV on Southeast Harmony Road around the time of the crash is asked to contact the tip line immediately.
Legal Stakes For Leaving The Scene
Under Oregon law, drivers who know or have reason to believe their vehicle was involved in a crash that injured someone must stop, render aid and exchange information or face potential criminal penalties. ORS 811.705 makes failure to perform these duties a Class C felony when a collision results in injury or death and spells out requirements such as remaining at the scene and providing reasonable assistance. Prosecutors will weigh any charges based on the specific facts of the case and the seriousness of the rider’s injuries.
E-Bike Safety Context
State transportation researchers note that e-bike crash reporting is still relatively new, but early data show many serious e-bike collisions involve motor vehicles on higher-speed arterials, which can leave riders particularly exposed. An ODOT research summary, “E‑Bike Crashes in Oregon: A First Look,” highlights emerging statewide numbers and calls for better data collection as e-bike use climbs. Milwaukie police say this case is a reminder for drivers to watch for cyclists and for riders to use helmets and lights when traveling on busy roads.
