On Sunday, Portland Police made two arrests in a street racing raid near Swan Island as part of an operation targeting street racers, defined as those who gather together to take part in driving behaviors that are dangerous.
One man was arrested after he fled the area while another was taken into custody because of a reckless driving warrant that was outstanding. The first man was charged with trying to elude a police officer, reckless driving and reckless endangerment of another person. Another 22 people were cited by police in this street racing operation.
How Police Found Out About the Street Racers
Police found out about a crash involving a parked car and several pedestrians near Swan Island, which led them to a private parking lot with a bunch of street racers. They were doing stunts in their cars when the accident with the parked car happened.
Police released video of the scene showing a car going around in circles and creating smoke near parked cars. When officers arrived on scene, the driver of the car that hit the parked car fled in another car.
The driver is a Portland resident, but he does not possess a valid driver’s license. In the past, he was convicted of five felonies along with a misdemeanor conviction for reckless driving.
Illegal Street Racing in Portland
Police have been trying to crack down on street racing because it continues to be a problem in the metro area. Just last Friday, someone was charged with manslaughter after two drivers who were racing each other hit another car, resulting in that car’s occupant getting killed. Another three people were arrested back in May over a street racing incident on Interstate 84. Also, four people have been killed in street racing crashes in only the last four years.
Street racing draws a lot of people, including drivers and those who want to watch. The Oregonian has done extensive reporting on street racing, learning that it sometimes draws up to 1,000 spectators. The Oregonian also discovered racing participants have even blocked roadways to have races.
Injured in a Street Racing Crash?
Street racing is extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury or death for drivers and pedestrians alike. When this happens, victims or their families may have the right to take legal action against the at-fault driver for reckless driving.
Contact our car accident lawyers in Portland for your free case evaluation to discuss what steps you may be able to take to pursue compensation for damages. There are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless you receive compensation at the end of the legal process.
We can handle your entire case from start to finish, fighting for your best interests. We want you to have the time to focus on your health and well-being.
