Pedicab operator allegedly run down by man in a car; suspect still on the loose

“If I would have been a pedestrian or on a regular bike, I would have been dead…I feel like an attempt was made on my life. I told the cop I was assaulted but for some reason this was put on the backburner. They told me my case was placed at a low priority.”
— pedicab operator

Last Saturday night at about 2:30 a.m., a pedicab operator was allegedly run down by a man driving a late-model Mercedes while riding east on NW Davis Street in downtown Portland.

The woman, who has requested anonymity because she fears her safety and her job, says the impact from the collision caused her to “fly about twelve feet backwards through the air and land on the ground.”

A witness says the car was traveling at about 40 miles per hour. The impact left the pedicab smashed, but the woman was miraculously unhurt.

I spoke with the victim this morning and she is still in shock and disbelief — not just because of the crash and its aftermath, but because she feels the Police Bureau has not responded adequately to a situation she says could have easily ended in a fatality.

Story continues below

advertisement

“It’s really strange I’m not hurt worse, he ran into me going really fast,” she said. The woman — who is about six feet tall and was dressed in a full bunny costume — says the crash was “a direct hit” from about a block away, and that it occurred on a well-lit street.

Filmed by Bike 08-29.jpg

(Photo © J. Maus)

After the collision, the woman says she got up and approached the car. The driver of the car then allegedly offered her $100. At that point, according to a forum posting made by the pedicab operator (which has since been deleted), she yelled at the man in the car, screaming that she didn’t want his money and that she’d rather see him go to jail.

A few minutes later, the man allegedly put his car in reverse and tried to leave the scene. Then, the woman says she and a friend who had arrived at the scene, “stood in front of his car so he wouldn’t leave,” which she admitted was, “not too smart”. At that point, the woman claims the man in the car, “maliciously looked us in the face and ran into us a second time.”

As the man in the car drove away, the pedicab operator reported that her friend then broke his windshield with brass knuckles and that she, “chased him down the street in my f***** bunny suit screaming.”

“I’m scared go back to work because there’s so much drunk driving downtown. The system we have now is you drive downtown, you get drunk, and you drive home.”

The pedicab operator then says she flagged down a cop, but the cop told her, “We don’t have time to play games with you.” (Remember, she was wearing a fluorescent orange bunny costume).

The woman who was hit says she is “in shock and disbelief that nothing has happened” with her case.

“If I would have been a pedestrian or on a regular bike, I would have been dead…I feel like an attempt was made on my life. I told the cop I was assaulted but for some reason this was put on the backburner. They told me my case was placed at a low priority.”

The woman has filed an incident report but she claims the only communication from the police thus far has been an email from an officer with the Central Precinct Neighborhood Response Team.

Adding to the woman’s fears, she says, is the fact that upon impact with her pedicab, “little baggies of drugs flew out of the car,” likely thrown out by the driver. She says she realized they were drugs because nearby homeless people began picking them up and immediately tried to sell them.

“So apparently,” she says, “this dude is a rich drug dealer of some sort, which makes the whole situation a little scarier as far as going to court is concerned.”

The woman has not yet retained the services of a lawyer. She also told me this incident brings a much larger problem into focus; after hours drunk driving downtown. “I’m scared go back to work because there’s so much drunk driving downtown,” she said, “the system we have now is you drive downtown, you get drunk, and you drive home.” She is also worried that new regulations being proposed would make it even harder for taxis and pedicab operators to do business.

The pedicab involved in this incident is operated by Portland Cascadia Pedicabs, which is owned by Ryan Hashagen. Hashagen has been busy recently in a battle with the City’s Revenue Bureau about new regulations being proposed on pedicabs.

Hashagen is aware of this incident and has been in contact with the Portland Police Bureau about the pending investigation.

We have left calls for the officer working on this case, Officer Susan Abrahamson of the Central Precinct’s Neighborhood Response Team, but we have not heard back yet.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

68 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
DJ Hurricane
DJ Hurricane
14 years ago

This sounds like something out of a Cohen brothers movie. Of course, I have that feeling a lot in this town.

I have been riding downtown late at night. It is indeed full of drunk drivers. But the PPB doesn’t have the resources to deal with such a minor annoyance when it has to address the major safety problem of bicyclists rolling through stop signs on a residential bike boulevard.

Anyway, GET A LAWYER!!

pfarthing6
pfarthing6
14 years ago

…heck with the Lawyer. Get a gun, concealed weapons permit, and cell phone with a camera. I can assure you, the guy won’t get away and the cops will take it seriously.

steve
steve
14 years ago

I can’t wait to hear the BS that PoPo is going to post. The Portland police Department is a pathetic waste of taxpayer dollars.

Go smash your bike into a patrol car and see what happens to you.

Dana
Dana
14 years ago

pfarthin6 + steve = no better than the people posting on oregonlive.com

metal cowboy
14 years ago

I gotta say, Steve. I know you post a lot and have things to contribute, but calling the entire police department a waste of money doesn’t help forward any meaningful discussion. If it makes you feel better I suggest doing in in front of a mirror or out in the woods. And #2, you had me fine with the camera and the cellphone… but a concealed weapon in a confrontation with what might be a drug dealer – I’m praying that story ends with a dead bunny.

joe
joe
14 years ago

this makes no sense. a dangerous hit and run is a low priority?

Jessica Roberts
Jessica Roberts
14 years ago

Why did her friend have brass knuckles?

carlos
carlos
14 years ago

“but a concealed weapon in a confrontation with what might be a drug dealer – I’m praying that story ends with a dead bunny.”

metalcowboy, I’m confused. Do you want the bunny dead because she’s carrying a concealed weapon? If this is the case, then by that logic, its ok for drug dealers to carry weapons and kill people but not bunnys. Maybe you can elaborate.

Amos
Amos
14 years ago

Jessica, I believe brass knuckles come standard with every bunny costume.

Krampus
Krampus
14 years ago

So the car hits the pedicab and all the sudden little bags of drugs come flying out? haha that sounds kinda far fetched doesn’t it?

As for the gun comment, I have a concealed carry license and at no point in this altercation would someone have been able to draw their firearm legally. She should have gotten the license plate number instead of standing directly in the path of a car being driven by someone who has no intention of stopping. That is putting yourself at even greater danger. You can only draw your firearm if you are in immediate danger, which she wouldn’t have been had she stepped out from in front of the car and allowed the driver to leave while she jotted down the license plate #. Granted, it wouldn’t have been as TAKE CHARGE as pulling out a glock and pointing it at the driver, but you simply can’t draw your firearm in that manner given the context of this incident.

Adams Carroll (News Intern)
14 years ago

“So the car hits the pedicab and all the sudden little bags of drugs come flying out? haha that sounds kinda far fetched doesn’t it?

It might not have been clear in my story, but the woman says it was likely that the man threw the drug bags out himself before driving away.

GLV
GLV
14 years ago

upon impact with her pedicab, “little baggies of drugs flew out of the car.” She says she realized they were drugs because nearby homeless people began picking them up and immediately tried to sell them.

Color me highly skeptical. A bunch of homeless people just happened to be standing around? Who were they “immediately” trying to sell these drugs to? With all those witnesses, why didn’t the police take a statement?

pfarthing6
pfarthing6
14 years ago

Krampus – So, according to that description, you’d be required to dodge the knife or baseball bat or whatever else while being assualted before drawing your weapon? NO! I think this is a car-culture response: Cars are never dangerous weapons.

I call BS on that …though stepping in front of the car was VERY stupid.

Still, most car cabbies carry and for good reason. You CAN draw while under threat, don’t need to wait until you’re actually assaulted. You just can’t fire unless there is no choice. A drawn weapon gives you that choice. No other reason to have a weapon.

BTW – brass knuckles are illegal and that person was lucky the dealer didn’t have a gun! Talk about STUPID!! Geez!!!

steve
steve
14 years ago

I thought they were illegal as well. Here in oregon apparently, they are perfectly legal.

steve
steve
14 years ago

Breaking the window seems pretty illegal though..

Carl
Carl
14 years ago

Don’t believe that:
-a hit and run driver might try to ditch drugs
-Old Town has heaps of opportunistic homeless folks on the sidewalks?
-pedicabbers might carry brass knuckles?

As someone who spends plenty of time in this area at night, this all seems very plausible to me.

Also: just because Jonathan didn’t list the license number doesn’t mean she doesn’t have it.

I hope the Police wake up and prioritize this incident and that the pedicabber recover quickly.

redhippie
redhippie
14 years ago

What ever happened to picking up a phone and calling the cops to make an accident report. Seems like there was an awful lot of talking/standing/breaking windows going on.

timtim
timtim
14 years ago

Folks, has anyone ever heard that Police officers are able to use vehicles as weapons? Its called use of excessive force for non response. I.E. you run from the cops they can run you over! When a private citizen wields a vehicle with the same deadly force, Its attempted manslaughter. It is my opinion that the police aren’t treating this case with priority A. because the operator was not seriously injured. B. because there are a myriad of other ridiculous and dangerous things going on on nearly every corner downtown. C. Because pedicabs are not viewed as legitimate street vehicles by PPD or the general public, but rather as a novelty item taking up road space(which I think is bullshit.). It disappoints me that nothing is really being done about this, but I can believe it. I am just glad that no one lost limb or life.

Ryan Hashagen
Ryan Hashagen
14 years ago

It is great that no one got hurt badly in this malicious incident. I would like to commend our pedicab drivers for taking down the appropriate identifying information: make, model, plates, and driver id. We look forward to seeing legal justice.

It seems surprising that we accept that people will be operating automobiles drunkenly downtown most nights from 1am to 3:30am in the middle of the ‘Entertainment District.’ We often remark that cops and pedicabs are the only coherent ones on the street. Close 2nd, 3rd, and Couch Street during these hours for a safer downtown. Having cars flying through Oldtown at 30 – 40 mph, is not safe for anyone. Car free nightlife!?

Ryan Hashagen
Ryan Hashagen
14 years ago

The police/911 dispatch was called by the victim and witnesses as soon as the initial incident occurred.

Nature Boy
Nature Boy
14 years ago

#12 GLV. Have you ever been downtown at night? Homeless people are everywhere, and highly concentrated in the area where the crime occurred, due to the shelters in the vicinity. I know the victim in this crime. She is an outstanding and honest person. If she says that’s what happened, then that is exactly what happened, no questions asked.

MAry Sue
14 years ago

@GLV, when was the last time you were downtown at night?

wsbob
wsbob
14 years ago

She should go back to the cops with her friend that busted the windshield. The cops could put the word out for any Mercedes that come in to have a windshield repaired or replaced. The Mercedes might have some other damage too.

If everything was as she said it was, the cops response to her plea for help was terrible. Seems like there was a fair chance that, if the cops had followed right up on this collision, they might have had an easy bust.

Yogi
Yogi
14 years ago

I’m going to REI and buying a cannister of bear spray. Tonight.

destin
destin
14 years ago

keep us posted.

Hopefully this dangerous person will be apprehended.

What are the hit and run laws like in oregon?

Hart
Hart
14 years ago

Instead going all super-rager and punching out the windshield, why not write down the license plate number?

Bjorn
Bjorn
14 years ago

My understanding is that it isn’t hit and run unless you injury someone or the damage to the vehicle exceeds some threshold. Just because you touch and leave the scene it isn’t necessarily legally “leaving the scene of an accident” perhaps this is why the cops were so blase. However pedicabs look expensive and I would think that the damage from such a high speed accident would have crossed the threshold… Mostly though it reinforces my belief that if you are in a crash and talking to a cop it is best to say you think you are injured regardless of what you in your state of shock might believe and then potentially decide you are ok later because if you don’t think you need to go to the hospital they don’t care.

bjorn

GLV
GLV
14 years ago

I’ve been downtown at night plenty of times. The statement “I knew there were drugs because the homeless people picked them up and immediately started to sell them” is a stunningly classist one. And it implies that there were potential customers as well. My question as to why the police did not take statements from this plethora of witnesses is perfectly valid.

Carl
Carl
14 years ago

GLV,
Did you read this part?

“The pedicab operator then says she flagged down a cop, but the cop told her, “We don’t have time to play games with you.””

…and, although it was unclear in this article, she stated elsewhere that the people who picked up the drugs tried to sell them to the two pedicabbers. Hardly a plethora of witnesses. Still, if the police had given her the time of day, you’re right: they should’ve questioned some of these witnesses.

Point is: I believe this story and it disappoints me that the passing police officer seems to’ve dismissed it.

BURR
BURR
14 years ago

It is my understanding that the license # of the vehicle was recorded and given to the police; and that the police have identified the vehicle owner but have inexplicably not pursued an arrest on a hit and run charge.

destin
destin
14 years ago

“It is my understanding that the license # of the vehicle was recorded and given to the police; and that the police have identified the vehicle owner but have inexplicably not pursued an arrest on a hit and run charge.”

really? man that is wack.
nepotism? someone “important” son perhaps?

benschon
benschon
14 years ago

If a car violently collides with a bike during peak nightlife hours in Old Town (2:30 am on a weekend), and someone supposedly called 911 right away, the cops are going to be there to sort it out, quick. This account is extremely fishy.

DJ Hurricane
DJ Hurricane
14 years ago

811.700 Failure to perform duties of driver when property is damaged; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to perform the duties of a driver when property is damaged if the person is the driver of any vehicle and the person does not perform duties required under any of the following:

(a) If the person is the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident that results only in damage to a vehicle that is driven or attended by any other person the person must perform all of the following duties:

(A) Immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible. Every stop required under this subparagraph shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.

(B) Remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled all of the requirements under this paragraph.

(C) Give to the other driver or passenger the name and address of the driver and the registration number of the vehicle that the driver is driving and the name and address of any other occupants of the vehicle.

(D) Upon request and if available, exhibit and give to the occupant of or person attending any vehicle damaged the number of any documents issued as evidence of driving privileges granted to the driver.

(b) If the person is the driver of any vehicle that collides with any vehicle that is unattended, the person shall immediately stop and:

(A) Locate and notify the operator or owner of the vehicle of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle striking the unattended vehicle; or

(B) Leave in a conspicuous place in the vehicle struck a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and of the owner of the vehicle doing the striking and a statement of the circumstances thereof.

(c) If the person is the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to fixtures or property legally upon or adjacent to a highway, the person shall do all of the following:

(A) Take reasonable steps to notify the owner or person in charge of the property of such fact and of the driver’s name and address and of the registration number of the vehicle the driver is driving.

(B) Upon request and if available, exhibit any document issued as official evidence of a grant of driving privileges to the driver.

(2) The offense described in this section, failure to perform the duties of a driver when property is damaged, is a Class A misdemeanor and is applicable on any premises open to the public. [1983 c.338 §572]

metal cowboy
14 years ago

RE:Dead bunnies. I don’t want the bunny dead or anyone else in this situation. I just don’t think people should be packing lethal weapons – both sides have guns it could turn into the OK corral out there. (my opinion not looking for a big gun discussion) I appreciate that one side could have a gun. In my thousands of miles of biek travel around the globe i carried mace/bear spray and only drew it twice, fired it once – and that was testing it. Test did not go well. Breezes in the desert can be tricky and hard to detect. Point being the best defense I had around the world was my judgement… and luck. mY original point was I’m for the cellphone and the camera but I don’t think the situation called for any one to draw down.

Anonymous 2
Anonymous 2
14 years ago

The bunny’s story seems imaginatively detailed. Perhaps that’s why the police don’t seem to be responding to it.

LDL
LDL
14 years ago

I am so sorry for the driver and hope she is ok.

But why are we focusing on more violence and disbelief? I am very disappointed at the tone this conversation took.
I think we should be focus on the fact that a person while at work (and wearing a bunny costume) almost got killed by a driver; and the driver is still out there. if the same thing were to happen to a construction crew on the freeway, there would be hell to pay. and for good reason. I think that going to work afraid is very sad and not representative of the loving, earth friendly, first worldly, north western atmosphere that we promote.

metal cowboy
14 years ago

Oh, I see what happened – my post on #5 should have read “I’m praying that the story DOESN’T end with a bunny” I’m not sure where the doesn’t went in my first post, I swear I put it in there, but then i’m trying to stop a bridge AND raise three boys between my day jobs. What’s an important form of be between friends.

wsbob
wsbob
14 years ago

“It is my understanding that the license # of the vehicle was recorded and given to the police; and that the police have identified the vehicle owner but have inexplicably not pursued an arrest on a hit and run charge.” BURR

If the police really have been given the LP# of the Mercedes that allegedly collided with the pedicab, and identified the vehicle owner, then it would appear they’ve started to investigate the incident. If they haven’t pursued an arrest, there might be a number of applicable explanations for this not yet happening.

I hope the pedicab operator went to the E.R. to get checked out after the impact that caused her to “fly about twelve feet backwards through the air and land on the ground.”, even though she was as Maus reports, “…miraculously unhurt.”. She should have went in ASAP, even if she didn’t feel anything amiss immediately after the collision. It would be too bad if some surprise physical complications start showing up.

Maybe it was the bunny suit that cushioned her fall.

Krampus
Krampus
14 years ago

pfarthing: Please take a concealed carry class first and then respond. You cannot withdraw your firearm in an attempt to ‘scare’ someone. When you withdraw it, you better be firing it. They teach you this because if you pull your firearm out without the intention of shooting immediately, and the enemy has a firearm, they will draw theirs and shoot you first. When you withdraw, you must be prepared to shoot IMMEDIATELY. My father teaches one of the concealed carry classes here in Portland and I can get you into a class for free and waive the fee if you’d like. Let me know or message me on the forums.

joe
joe
14 years ago

mandatory bunny suits

SkidMark
SkidMark
14 years ago

There’s only one deadbuny and he had nothing to do with this.

carless in pdx
carless in pdx
14 years ago

hmm. he must not like bunnies.

In all seriousness, however, this is just terrible. I am truly glad that the woman was uninjured… there are some real jerks out there, thats for sure. Kind of scary.

Krampus
Krampus
14 years ago

DONNIE DARKO??? 🙂

k.
k.
14 years ago

How about posting a photo of the damaged pedi-cab? Let’s see the damage for ourselves. This story does seem a bit far fetched, at least they way it’s written and/or described by the victim.

RyNO Dan
RyNO Dan
14 years ago

Where is a picture of the damaged cab ?

solid gold
solid gold
14 years ago

Nice way to stand in solidarity with a victim of violence folks! I thought the cops were supposed to be the uncaring hypocrites in this story, but I see we have plenty from our side on that team.

I love how the Politically Correct Biker Super Sleuth Team is all over questioning the victim. Who has multiple witnesses to confirm her story, btw.

What a bunch of spineless, naive, backbiting cowards you all sound like.

I’m also guessing that all the politically correct bikers responding have NEVER worked in a dangerous environment. You all have nice, safe office jobs from 9-5, right?

Well, when you are riding a slow moving tricycle around downtown alleys and streets, by yourself at 2 a.m. carrying several hundred dollars in cash, dealing with drunks and crackheads, you are NOT in a safe environment. Smart people carry protection of some sort (pepper spray definitely being the best), because I think this article has shown that lying on the ground calling for your mommy and the police don’t usually work.

I’m guessing most of the people who blamed the victim in this situation are also supporters of police “stop sign enforcement missions” too.

justa
justa
14 years ago

Well, I don’t really care to contribute to this particular discussion except to say that my sentiments have already been voiced here by Nature Boy and Carl.

I also am well acquainted with the woman in question, and she is prone to neither exaggeration nor confrontation.

pfarthing6
pfarthing6
14 years ago

Krampus –

I understand your position 100%. Please be aware though that this is a philosophy. I’m not saying your wrong in your belief, but it’s certainly nothing to do with the law.

Lawfully, you may use deadly force, of any kind, only under certain unavoidable conditions of self-defense. Pointing a gun at someone does not constitute deadly force and though also allowed only for self-defense, the two are not the same.

There are degrees here then and though your black and white approach maybe usefull in combat, it’s hardly appropriate for civil society.

You might also consider police conduct. Do they “always” fire immediately upon drawing their weapon? No, and for good reason. They can fire in defense or to uphold the law. They are taught to refrain from firing unless necessary. Maybe this doesn’t always workout, but it’s the idea.

By your position, they are doing the wrong thing. And maybe you’re right. Maybe cops should never pull their weapons unless they are going to kill someone. Somehow, I don’t think they’d go for that since they likely feel, as I do, that a drawn and visible weapon is in itself a defense tactic.

Anyway, you might just peruse Title 16 and ORS166.190. Interesting stuff.

…but I take back that the person should have had a firearm. Considering the emotional tensions and all that. Probably would have gone bad.

illa
illa
14 years ago

Every bicyclist in portland should arm themselves in some way. I prefer a blade, but there are plenty of options out there. You may “accidentally” threaten my life, but you’ll only do it once.

Mr DeJerk
14 years ago

+1 #3
+1 #16
+1 #21
+1000 #46