Document text
Portland Police Pursuit Ends With Driver Found Dead After High-Speed Crash in Beaverton Crime & Courts By Lucille McNamara On Jan 4, 2026 PORTLAND, Ore. — A driver was found dead inside a vehicle that crashed when Portland Police officers tried to stop him for reckless driving. The incident began in the Old Town during the early hours of Saturday morning when the police tried to stop the vehicle at the intersection of Northwest 11 th Avenue and Northwest Burnside Street. According to a police report, the driver initially pulled over, but then fled the scene before backup arrived to assist the arresting officers. Tidings Insight Turning off overhead lights is one de escalation step meant to avoid escalating speeds. After a fatal crash, another agency’s crash team can take the lead so investigators are separate from the involved bureau. Traveling westbound on Northwest Burnside Street at high speed, the pursuing officers turned off the overhead emergency police lights in an effort to stop the driver from continuing to travel at a dangerous speed. Tidings Context Portland Police policy defines a vehicle pursuit as actively trying to keep pace with a fleeing driver. When risk outweighs benefit, officers must terminate and may instead trail without emergency equipment. They caught up with the vehicle a few minutes later, traveling at a normal speed along Southwest Barnes Road and Southwest 87 th Avenue in Beaverton. As the police vehicle drew up behind the reckless driver, he performed a U-turn and sped away. The officers gave chase, with overhead police lights flashing, and found the driver in his crashed vehicle several blocks ahead, at Southwest Barnes Road and Southwest Valeria View Drive. The driver, who was the sole occupant, was deceased inside the vehicle. “Officers were not in pursuit at the time of the crash and no other vehicles were involved.” Portland Police Bureau An investigation has been launched by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and anyone with further information is asked to contact [email protected] and reference Case #26-2045. Multnomah County Portland Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email