A man walking in Portland’s Hazelwood neighborhood was struck and killed early Sunday at the intersection of Southeast Stark Street and Southeast 139th Avenue, shutting down a stretch of the busy corridor while police investigated. Officers with the Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division Major Crash Team responded to the scene and found the adult man deceased in the roadway.
Police say driver stayed and cooperated
In a press release shared by the Portland Police Bureau, investigators said the collision occurred at Southeast Stark Street and Southeast 139th Avenue and confirmed that the driver involved remained at the scene and is cooperating with the Major Crash Team. The bureau listed the case as number 26-201822 and noted that Southeast Stark is closed between Southeast 138th and Southeast 143rd avenues while investigators process evidence and document the scene.
Stark corridor has a history of deadly collisions
The intersection of Southeast Stark and 139th is on the city’s High Crash Network, the group of 30 streets and intersections that account for many of Portland’s most serious traffic collisions, and it has seen multiple pedestrian-involved crashes in recent years. The Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Safer Outer Stark project is rolling out multi-phase safety upgrades along Southeast Stark, including protected bike lanes, new lighting and planned pedestrian crossing improvements, in an effort to cut down on deaths and serious injuries along the corridor.
What neighbors and drivers should expect
Police are asking drivers to steer clear of the area while the Major Crash Team completes its work and said a public information officer is not responding to the scene. The Portland Police Bureau confirmed that the specialized team is leading the active investigation and that no additional details about the victim or the vehicle are being released at this time.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone who has information and has not yet spoken with officers is asked to contact the Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division and reference case number 26-201822.
