(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.