(Photo © J. Maus)
Captain Eric Hendricks of the Portland Police Bureau’s Traffic Division is in critical condition this morning after a crash involving three motor vehicles yesterday afternoon on Highway 30.
According to the Oregon State Police, the collision happened about ten miles west of Rainier. Hendricks and his wife both suffered critical injuries and Eric remains in intensive care at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in North Portland this morning.
Preliminary investigation of the crash indicates that a vehicle in the opposite lane swerved into the lane Hendricks was driving in and struck the driver’s side of Hendricks’ car.
Hendricks became captain of the Traffic Division (TD) back in April when former Captain Larry O’Dea took a position in the Chief’s office.
I sat down for a lengthy interview with Hendricks back in May. He assured me he would continue the strong partnership and collaboration between the Traffic Division, the Bureau of Transportation, and bike advocates. Hendricks shared that he’s a regular bike rider who has experienced several near misses from motor vehicle operators and that he has completed the Seattle-to-Portland ride multiple times.
We here at BikePortland are thinking good thoughts for the quick and full recovery of Eric and his wife.
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Funny how Jonathan’s synopsis of the crash was about a million times more succinct than the Oregonian’s. I read their paragraph at least a couple times this morning before it made any sense…
God, I hope they both recover quickly. Best wishes to both of them, from me, from Umbrella, and from the WNBR and dance party organizers.
For those who aren’t aware, Captain Eric Hendricks was heavily involved in the successful collaboration of the Portland Police with the WNBR – while WNBR was not perfect, it went off with no tickets, or arrests – managing to safely convey over 5,000 naked riders through the streets of Portland.
Captain Eric Hendricks was one of the key people involved, and was professional, proactive, and conscientious of the particulars of the ride, and how easily things could have gone awry with a ride of that size in the middle of the downtown entertainment district. His efforts, and the efforts of the men and women under him were instrumental in making that ride a success.
Eric, our wishes, prayers, and good thoughts are with you and your wife!
How awful… best wishes to Captain Hendricks and his family for a full and speedy recovery.
Was he wearing a helmet?
I hope all involved find a path to a quick and full recovery. We need all the bicycle loving police we can find, they are a rare commodity.
Ugh. This is awful.
Hear, hear Matt.
I’ve met with Captain Hendricks on a few occasions and each time have admired his sincere interest for coalition building in the community and his fair-mindedness.
Eric, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Get well soon Capt. Hendricks. I hope you and your family can read this one day and forgive the rude comments.
There are thousands of cyclists who appreciate the hundreds of professional police in Portland and the thousands of good things you all do every day.
I hope Eric and his wife get better quickly.
The report I saw on KGW.com said that the van driver thought he saw a deer and swerved to miss it. Who knows? Coulda been anything.
That’s horrible. My heart goes out to both of them.
My best wishes to the Captain. That isn’t a bad road to ride a bike on–but it’s a terrifying road to drive; narrow lanes, high speeds, and many driveways and obscured intersections.
Driving sure does suck.
Glad he was driving a BMW not a bike. They got some meat in em, them cars do.
Was on I-5 on Saturday for the first time in a year or so.. I couldn’t believe how crazy people drive!! People either on their cell phones, tailgating, swerving in between other cars to unsafely change lanes.. I feel safer on my bike on most city streets than in a car on the highway these days…
“The report I saw on KGW.com said that the van driver thought he saw a deer and swerved to miss it. Who knows? Coulda been anything.” Kt
Hope the driver wasn’t seeing this deer on an I-phone screen.
I met recently at a meeting he attended to discuss the NE Broadway and N Flint intersection with a group of cyclist. I was extremely impressed with his professionalism and the way he interacted with us. I’ve been meaning to send him a thank you email. I am very sad to here this, I hope he recovers quickly. He seems like a great guy and I appreciate the work he does.
Thank you all for your support, well wishes and prayers. I will be sure to pass them along to my Dad. I know it will mean alot to him.
Hi Erin; I have met you and your parents many times at Ted and Shannon’s house. I think your parents are wonderful, fun, vibrant people. I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you at another b-day party:) Please let me know if there is anything Bob and I can do. Luckily for your parents they have a nurse for a daughter!