One person has died following a two-vehicle accident on Tuesday evening at Highway 26 and Southeast Hillyard Road.
Donald M. Bard, 53, of Gresham died at the scene, and another Gresham resident identified as Sun Bear Raven, 36, remains in serious condition after being transported to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, said Lt. Claudio Grandjean, Gresham Police spokesman.
Police believe Ravens excessive speed and reckless driving were the causes of the accident, Grandjean said.
A Gresham Officer was monitoring traffic on Highway 26 at Southeast 267th Avenue at about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, when he saw a black 2002 Mercedes driven by Raven, westbound on the highway.The officer estimated the speed to be about 100 miles per hour and entered traffic to follow and stop the suspect. Before he could even get behind the vehicle, it crashed into a westbound 2008 Mazda driven by Bard, as he was turning left onto eastbound Hillyard Road. Police received reports of a reckless driver in a black Mercedes as far east as Sandy just prior to the accident.
As the officer arrived at the accident that had just occurred, the Mercedes caught fire. The officer and bystanders forced the vehicle opened and pulled Raven out of the burning vehicle. The officer cut his hands breaking the glass, but was treated at a local hospital and is expected to return to duty.
Raven, who was driving with a license suspended due to a variety of traffic crimes, including drunken driving, has not been charged with any crimes, but police are still investigating.
During the investigation, police closed the highway's westbound lanes at Southeast 267th Avenue and reduced the eastbound lanes to one lane from Hillyard to 267th.
In order to investigate, police have closed the highway's westbound traffic at Southeast 267th Avenue and only one eastbound lane is open. Police will release more information after the victim's family is notified. Investigators expect to be at the scene for hours, Grandjean said. The lanes remained closed as of 1 a.m. Wednesday, May 15.