A late-night police pursuit in Portland, Oregon, ended in tragedy after a fleeing vehicle plunged into the Willamette River, leaving two people dead and one presumed deceased, authorities confirmed.
Police Chase Ends in Deadly River Crash
According to the Portland Police Bureau, the incident unfolded around 2 a.m. Monday when officers attempted to stop a vehicle reportedly driving the wrong way at high speed through downtown streets.
Police said the driver refused to stop, accelerating along Southwest Harvey Milk Street, merging onto Southwest Naito Parkway, and then veering off-road into Tom McCall Waterfront Park before crashing through a guardrail and into the river.
Four Believed Inside Vehicle
Authorities believe four individuals, estimated to be between 17 and 20 years old, were inside the car at the time of the crash.
When officers arrived, they found one survivor swimming in the river, who told police that three others remained trapped inside the submerged vehicle.
Bodies Recovered, One Person Still Missing
Divers from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office recovered two bodies from the water later Monday morning.
A third person remains missing and is presumed dead, officials said, as search efforts continue.
The survivor was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and is cooperating with investigators.
Challenging Search Conditions
Rescue teams faced extremely difficult conditions, including zero visibility in approximately 35 feet of cold water, significantly complicating recovery efforts.
Divers located the submerged vehicle but left it in place due to safety concerns. Authorities plan to use sonar technology to assist in locating the missing individual.
Area Secured During Recovery Operation
Police temporarily closed sections of Tom McCall Waterfront Park, near the Oregon Maritime Museum, as emergency crews conducted search and recovery operations throughout the morning.
Investigation Ongoing
Officials have not yet released the identities of those involved. Authorities described the incident as a rare and tragic event, noting that vehicles entering the river from that location are highly uncommon.
Key Takeaways:
- 2 bodies recovered, 1 person still missing and presumed dead
- Crash followed a high-speed police pursuit in downtown Portland
- Vehicle drove through park and into the Willamette River
- Four occupants believed inside, ages estimated 17–20
- One survivor rescued with minor injuries
- Search continues under challenging underwater conditions
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash as recovery efforts remain underway.
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